A significant discussion took place in Ukraine led by Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and the OSCE Special Representative, Ambassador Petr Maresh, on the topic of «Joint Actions Against Illegal Arms and Explosives Trafficking». This event was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in partnership with the OSCE.
Key figures participated in the event, including Deputy Ministers, representatives from law enforcement agencies, international organizations, and MPs. The meeting was moderated by Mykola Grintsov, Director of the Ministry’s Department.
Ihor Klymenko emphasized that controlling the arms trade during wartime is crucial for the security of both Ukraine and Europe. «In the context of active hostilities, there is a high risk of weapons falling into criminal hands. We are implementing measures to prevent these processes, including new security initiatives,» he stated.
The Ministry continues to improve its systems for controlling arms, aligning them with international standards. One of the key initiatives has been the establishment of a Unified Arms Register, which enhances the control over the circulation of firearms.
«Since June 2023, the Unified Register has simplified the registration process for citizens while enhancing oversight,» the Minister added.
Additionally, since November 25 of last year, a voluntary arms declaration process has been ongoing, allowing citizens to legalize unregistered weapons. The Ministry also actively conducts public awareness campaigns to enhance legal literacy among the population.
"The illegal arms trade is linked to international organized crime. This issue concerns security, economy, and politics. We are uniting efforts with partners to combat this phenomenon,» emphasized Petr Maresh.
The discussions at the event covered the results of the arms declaration initiative and future steps in international cooperation. The event served as an important platform for exchanging experiences and developing joint initiatives to combat illegal arms trafficking.
