OSCE Mission supports Moldova to improve safe storage of stockpile ammunition, small arms

CHISINAU, 24 September 2007 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova today called on the Moldovan authorities to improve storage conditions for stockpile ammunition and said the OSCE is ready to help the country do so.

"Proper and secure management of ammunition storages in Moldova is our common goal - it would make Moldova a safer place and set a good example for the region," said Ambassador Louis O'Neill.

Ambassador O'Neill spoke at today's opening of a two-day workshop on "Effective Stockpile Management and Security and Destruction of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Conventional Ammunition" in Chisinau, organized by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Moldovan Defence Ministry.

The workshop aims to raise awareness of Moldova's OSCE commitments with respect to Small Arms and Light Weapons as well as conventional ammunition. Experts from Sweden, Germany, the United States and United Kingdom, as well as representatives from international organizations, will share their experience on best practices and techniques in destroying, storing and managing SALW and ammunition.

"These debates will encourage the Moldovan authorities also to review the size of their holdings of SALW and ammunition," said Ambassador O'Neill.

The workshop is part of a larger OSCE project assisting Moldova's efforts to destroy outdated conventional ammunition and upgrade stockpile management and security of the remaining stocks. An assessment visit evaluating the condition of the storages and stockpiles aimed at developing concrete project proposals was conducted in May 2007 at the request of the Moldovan Defence Ministry.

Under a programme funded by the Finnish government, over 12,000 rounds of ammunition will be destroyed with the support of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and Conflict Prevention Centre this year.