OSCE to help Macedonia boost control of light weapons, ammunitions

SKOPJE, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Macedonia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to assist Macedonian border police to boost physical and IT security of small arms, light weapons and ammunition.

As a result, 15 border police stations and one regional center for border affairs will get the chance to boost physical and IT security of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition, in a bid to better protect the stocks and prevent them from being stolen or possibly smuggled.

The memorandum was signed by Macedonian interior minister Oliver Spasovski and head of the OSCE mission to Skopje, Nina Suomalainen.

The project aims to enhance control and safety is implemented with funds provided by the European Union and the German embassy here in cooperation with interior ministry, officials said.

"The project aimed at heightening border control, curbing smuggling of light weapons and ammunition, all the while strengthening the fight against organized crime and transnational risks," Suomalainen said.

Spasovksi said the proliferation of weapons and ammunition had turned into a serious issue and was being tackled under the small arms and light weapons control strategy of the government.

The total value of the project is estimated at 1.08 million euros (1.2 million U.S. dollars) and will be implemented from Oct. 1, 2017 until Sept. 30, 2019. Enditem