Serbian Police seized almost 2,000 weapons, minister says

  Speaking at a meeting on the illegal arms trade in the Western Balkans, Stefanovic said the police seized 1,881 firearms, more than 24 kilograms of explosives and 48,000 rounds of ammunition. “Serbia is the regional leader in destroying weapons, investing great effort to collect weapons and destroy them in cooperation with international partners. Last year, 18,009 firearms were destroyed,” the minister said.

He said light arms control has to be defined at all levels to prevent terrorists and criminals from getting their hands on them. Stefanovic said Serbia is committed to becoming a European Union member which means it has to get its regulations on firearms in line with the acquis communitaire.

Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said EU candidate states are expected to meet certain standards in all areas including control of small and medium arms. “Serbia has met the EU standards in this field and all the laws [governing weapons and military equipment] have been fully harmonised with EU regulations,” Dacic said.