Mexico: Cooperation on illicit arms trafficking in small arms and light weapons

Mexico´s Vice-Minister Carmen Moreno, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard, and the Deputy Secretary-General for Economic and Global Affairs of the European External Action Service, Helena König, on behalf of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell, endorsed the joint press release on cooperation between Mexico and the European Union on illicit arms trafficking in small arms and light weapons (SALW).

Appalled by the devastating humanitarian and socioeconomic consequences of illicit trafficking of SALW, we agree that this phenomenon must be addressed in a comprehensive manner, including by putting in place adequate laws and regulations and by combatting the illicit trade.

We are strong supporters of the UN Programme of Action on SALW and its International Tracing Instrument being an essential tool in the fight against diversion, un-authorised re-export and the illicit trade in SALW.

We express our concern at the huge number of weapons entering Mexico illegally, and therefore we intend to promote greater cooperation between all actors, and in particular between Mexico and the European Union and its Member States.

Firearms: Updated rules to increase security and facilitate legal trade

In this regard, the European Union considers Mexico’s initiative to control the illicit trade in SALW to be valuable. Likewise, Mexico recognizes the European Union’s commitment to strengthening the control of the export of military technology and equipment within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, through the setting, upholding and implementation of high common standards for the management of transfers of military technology and equipment, including SALW, by all member states. Mexico reiterates its support for sharing experiences on potential cases of legal exports from the European Union to Mexico in accordance with national legislation, which might have been subsequently diverted for illegal use.

Both parties consider it important to increase synergies between the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials (CIFTA, chaired by Mexico) and the European Union strategy against illicit firearms, small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, as well as international collaboration programs developed by the European Union, such as Arms Trade Treaty Outreach Programme Phase III, and the PAcCTO. Both parties also attach importance to working platforms such as EMPACT for firearms and collaboration with organizations such as Europol. By means of Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/847 of 30 May 2022, the European Union continuously supports effort by the Organization of American States to prevent and combat illicit proliferation and trafficking of SALW and ammunition and their impact in the Americas.

We conclude that multilateralism and international cooperation constitute the ideal platform to promote the fight against illicit trafficking, and we are committed to continue building deeper cooperation among all relevant actors.

Source: Press Release – Delegation of the European Union to Mexico