Rabat – The Arab League honored Morocco yesterday in Cairo for its outstanding role in boosting collaboration with the European Union (EU) to combat the trafficking and illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons among Arab League member states.
Morocco was acknowledged for its extensive support of the cooperation project, having hosted its second phase, which included the first regional workshop in Tangier in 2022 and national training sessions in Rabat.
The accolade was also extended to Jordan and the United Arab Emirates during the closing meeting of the second phase of the cooperation project between the Arab states and the EU.
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The two-day meeting was organized by the Arab League’s Armament and Disarmament Control Directorate in collaboration with the EU, Interpol, and the World Customs Organization.
It focused on cementing their mutual commitment to coordinated regional and international efforts against illicit arms trafficking.
The discussions also included an evaluation of the second phase of the project and explored future collaborative opportunities for the Arab League and the EU to address challenges related to illicit small arms and light weapons.
Launched in 2019, the EU-LAS project aims to bolster the ability of League of Arab States (LAS) member states to combat the illicit trade and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
This initiative addresses the specific needs and priorities of LAS members, as identified through the EU-LAS Strategic Dialogue on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Arms Control.
Funded by the EU, the project is managed by Interpol, the Small Arms Survey (project coordinator), and the World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the LAS Department of Arms Control and Disarmament.
