EU CONTRIBUTION TO COMBATING THE DESTABILISING
ACCUMULATION AND SPREAD OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS (SALW)
Letter from Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Minister
for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Chairman
I attach Explanatory Memoranda (not printed)
covering the Fifth Annual Report on the EU's contribution to combating
the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light
weapons and First Progress Report on the EU Strategy to Combat
Illicit Accumulation and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons
(SALW) and their ammunition.
The Government fully supports the EU Strategy
and Council Joint Action as useful tools that demonstrate a co-ordinated
EU response to the requirements of the UN Programme of Action
to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit trade in Small Arms
and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. The Government welcomes
these reports which, demonstrate EU activity and commitment to
addressing the scourge of the illicit trade in SALW.
In light of the FCO's continuing commitment
to deposit substantial non-legislative documents such as these,
I hope that your Committee finds the memoranda informative.
14 June 2006
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