OSCE seminar to discuss economic effects of trafficking in small arms and light weapons

VIENNA, 7 November 2002 - A seminar in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, next week will focus on the economic impact of trafficking in small arms and light weapons. The two-day seminar on 11 and 12 November and will be inaugurated by the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Solomon Passi. It is organized by the incoming Dutch Chairmanship of the OSCE and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

The seminar is the first of three preparatory seminars for the Eleventh OSCE Economic Forum, to take place in Prague, from 20 to 23 May 2003, on "Trafficking in Human Beings, Drugs, Small Arms and Light Weapons: National and International Economic Impact".

The Sofia seminar aims to contribute to the formulation of a policy agenda on the trafficking in small arms and light weapons from an economic perspective.

Participants in the seminar will include representatives from the OSCE participating States and experts from governments, customs, non-governmental organizations and academics.

More information on the seminar, which will be held at the Kempinski Hotel, Sofia, and on the OSCE's economic dimension in general can be found at the OSCE website at www.osce.org/eea.