08/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/20/2024 01:34
EU Statement
Thematic discussion on Interagency Cooperation
Arms Trade Treaty
Tenth Conference of State Parties
Geneva, 19-23 August 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina[1]and Georgia, as well as the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.
The European Union would like to reiterate its appreciation to the Romanian CSP10 Presidency for taking up the relevant topic of inter-agency cooperation, and the efforts so/thus far in this working cycle.
We express support for recommendations in the draft working paper, especially with regard to the preparation of elements for interagency cooperation to be included in updated versions of the Voluntary Basic Guide to Establishing a National Control System and in the document on Reporting Authorised or Actual Exports and Imports, as well as in the form of a dedicated stand-alone voluntary paper to compile useful elements.
We encourage capable States Parties to contribute actively to this process. It may become a meaningful addition to the existing guidance documents for actual or prospective States Parties, and a way to address siloing and deficiencies in institutional memory, thereby preserving capacities often developed thanks to international assistance. The EU welcomes the encouragement to engage the Voluntary Trust Fund in such tasks, and we remain open to include the dimension of inter-agency cooperation, whenever appropriate, in designing and executing EU-funded outreach activities towards universalisation and better implementation of the ATT.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[1]North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.