§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the implementation of the EU's initiative on prevention of trafficking of light weapons in southern Africa launched in 1998. [125020]
§ Clare ShortProgress has been made in a number of areas. Key organisations such as the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) have made significant efforts to take forward components of the agreed agenda in order to better address small arms questions, and are playing a growing role in bringing together a regional approach. The regional action programme has itself been an important mechanism around which the actions of donors can be co-ordinated with the needs and priorities of partner countries.
We have continued to provide support through non-governmental organisations such as Saferworld and the South African Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to take the regional action programme forward. In addition, we are also supporting a number of relevant police and customs service development projects which increase security and thereby decrease the need for, and availability of, small arms.
We are committed to continuing support for the regional action programme and to working closely with other UK Departments to ensure that this important initiative remains a priority activity for the EU.