Statement by His Excellency Mr

Statement of the State Secretary for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and European integration of Montenegro, Ambassador Nebojša Kaluđerović
Second Ministerial Review Conference on the Geneva Declaration on Armed
Violance and Development
Excellences, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to address this important meeting on behalf of Montenegro as a
member of Geneva Declaration.
I am very glad to see that the increasing number of states support the common goals
and objectives of the Geneva Declaration, the UN Programme of Action to Prevent,
Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its
Aspect, as well as other relevant documents limiting the illicit trade in small arms and
light weapons.
The consequences of armed violence can not be confined within the borders of one
state. The use of weapons always causes vast and irreparable consequences for the
entire international community.
Easy availability and the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons contributes
to prolonging conflicts, and is detrimental to efforts to achieve negotiated settlement of
conflicts. All these represent major obstacles to development, and cause social
inequality, unemployment, uneven access to resources, unregulated urbanization,
various forms of marginalization etc.
In the recent past, Montenegro has experienced the consequences of armed conflicts
that left a strong mark on the whole region of Western Balkans. Although it hasn’t been
involved in those conflicts, Montenegro still struggles with a large number of refugees
and internally displaced persons, and faces certain obstacles to overall development.
Today Montenegro is firmly devoted to European and Euro - Atlantic integration
processes and is committed to strengthening democracy and rule of law, protecting and
promoting human rights and freedoms, respecting international law, and working
towards economic and social wellbeing of its society.
My country is a member of all important international instruments in the field of
control of trafficking and possession of small arms and light weapons, and stands
strong for the elimination of its illegal trade. To this end, Montenegro has established
effective system of control of foreign trade in arms, based on the strict implementation

of international obligations and respect of the common criteria contained in the EU
Common Position.
Furthermore, we have adopted a number of national documents, in order to create the
unified national system of control and reduction of small arms and light weapons in
possession of citizens, police and armed forces and others.
Montenegro has implemented many projects on demilitarization and safe storage
capacities for the SALW, in cooperation with UNDP, OSCE and other international
organizations. The Government of Montenegro works on developing ammunition
management systems and building facilities for safe storage of ammunition.
Mr Chairman,
We are confident that the international community led by the UN, through active
participation of all its members, will continue the work on solving these complex
problems.
To that end, we call upon all states to promote cooperation at regional and global level,
in order to support common goals and objectives of the Declaration, and thereby
strengthen peace, security, development and respect of human rights.
In conclusion I would like to thank in particular the Swiss Government for the leading
role and commitment to this issue and for hosting, together, with the UNDP, this
important Conference.
Thank you.