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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Implementation of ATT to boost world safety

Belgrade/Cancun, 24 August 2015

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic stated today in Cancun that Serbia is working actively on national institutional modalities that will enable a successful implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

Author: Fonet

The official website of the Serbian government brings the full speech of Dacic at the First Conference of States Parties to ATT:

“Mr. Chair, Dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I am taking the floor for the first time, allow me to express our gratitude to the Government of Mexico for organizing and hosting this Conference. I would like to stress how much I appreciate the hospitality and warm welcome during our stay in the marvellous place that is Cancun.

I would especially like to thank Mr. Chair, as a representative of Mexico for extraordinary efforts which your country has made during the process of the adoption of the ATT and particularly after the ATT entered into force. My delegation very much appreciates your committed work made towards achieving a successful outcome.

The presence of numerous ministers of foreign affairs and other high level officials at this High Level Segment we perceive as a strong sign of support for our common endeavour to agree on the main substantial matters in enabling operational capacities of the ATT. We very much appreciate Mexico’s efforts in creating conditions so that our work can be successful, creative and productive.

I am very grateful to others states, the United Nations, as well as other international organizations, civil societies and industries which were also very active in preparing the First Conference of States Parties.

Mr. Chair,

We are gathering here to make an overview of our joint endeavours on the implementation of the Treaty and to create the needed framework for reaching the objectives established under the ATT.

Less than year ago our Treaty entered into force. Numerous challenges are still ahead of us, but we are determined and ready to reach our objectives. We are confident that we are capable to build the ATT structure and to fully implement it.

One of the main goals of the ATT is to contribute to international security through the adoption of a specific set of measures in the sensitive areas of arms export control. We are facing new security challenges, circumstances and situations on a global level which urged undertaking effective measures. Hence, the full, effective and transparent implementation of the ATT could contribute substantially to making these risks less dangerous.

The ambitious Conference agenda demonstrates our dedications, willingness and readiness to make decisive steps which will allow us to achieve a consensus on all substantial matters for the establishment of the ATT machinery.

As I attend this Conference as the Chairman-in office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, I would like to inform you briefly on the main OSCE activities in the area of export control.

This year we celebrate 40 years since Helsinki Final Act was adopted. The Helsinki Act is not only the most famous symbol of détente in Europe, but it is also the symbol of freedom, security, stability and cooperation. The OSCE promoted a number of specific measures and projects, including norms and principals of transfers of conventional arms. Namely, the OSCE was one of the first organizations which, on the 25th November 1993, adopted a document on the Principles Governing Conventional Arms Transfers. We are very proud that these established criteria were a starting point for the documents which other organizations adopted. The OSCE has adopted a number of other documents particularly those dealing with export procedures for Small arms and light weapons export. The OSCE participating States submit answers to the OSCE Questionnaire on export control every year. The OSCE also adopted a Handbook of Best practice guidelines on different issues. Majority of the OSCE participating States ratified the ATT and the OSCE fully support and will continue to support all activities and goals defined under the ATT.

Author: Fonet

As the First Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, I would like to stress that my country fully supported the adoption of the ATT from the very beginning. In April 2012 Serbia, in cooperation with the UNIDIR and the EU, hosted a Workshop on the ATT for wider region. This Workshop was the last one before the First Diplomatic Conference, which was held in New York in July 2012. Allow me to mention that Serbia had ratified the ATT on 29 October, 2014, before it entered into the force on 24 December 2014. Consequently, we adopted the new national Law on the Export and Import of Arms and Military Equipment and the Law on the Export and Import of dual-use goods, which are in accordance with the criteria and principals of the ATT. Another Draft law on the implementation of international restrictive measures is currently undergoing the procedure in our National Parliament and we expect it will be adopted very soon.

On the 29th of May 2015, Serbia had prepared and sent answers on the ATT Baseline Assessment Questionnaire. Representatives of Serbia took part in the meetings which were held in the preparatory phase of this Conference. We are also working on national institutional modalities which would enable successful implementation of the ATT.

Regional approach is another important aspect of the arms export control, including the cooperation in fulfilling obligations under the ATT. I would like to emphasize the excellent experience in the Western Balkans. The states, on the regional level, established a successful and effective cooperation in the field of export control through SEESAC – Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapon in Southeast Europe. The support made by SEESAC in this area represents a successful regional project.

Mr. Chair,

The Arms Trade Treaty is our common project and the common answer to the new risks and challenges of security and safety. We did a lot in the past and many positive results are behind us. But, at the same time there is still a lot to do. We are confident that during this Conference we will be able to find a common position on a number of pending issues which will pave the way for successful, sustainable and effective implementation of the Treaty. Thank you,” the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia concluded.