The European Union and Small Arms
As the European Union’s contribution to combating the
destabilizing accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons[1], the
European Union member states agreed in December 1998 on a Joint Action[2].
Following this joint action subsequent Council Decisions and report have strengthened and expanded this first step. The
Royal Government of Cambodia was one of the first countries to declare its
willingness to engage with the European Union in a comprehensive programme for
curbing small arms and light weapons in Cambodia. On
15 November
1999 the Council of
Ministers of the European Union took a Council
Decision[3] concerning the European Union contribution to combating the
destabilizing accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons in
Cambodia. In March 2000 EU ASAC started its work in Cambodia.
On 15 November 2001 , the Council of Ministers of the
European Union decided[4], in the light of the recommendations of an evaluation of
the EU ASAC project carried out in May 2001 and at the request of the Royal
Government of Cambodia, to extend for another year its assistance in curbing
small arms and light weapons in Cambodia. Similar council decisions to extend
the programme mandate for a further year were taken in November 2002[5]and
November 2003[6].
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