Moldovan Interior Ministry receives donation of IT equipment for operationalizing electronic register of weapons

Chisinau, 14 September /MOLDPRES/ - The Interior Ministry (MAI) today received a donation of IT equipment for the operationalization of the electronic Register of weapons nationally.

The donation was provided by the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the regional project, South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC). The IT equipment is worth  about 170,000 euros. The consignment includes computers, printers, scanners and equipment for marking weapons.    

The electronic register of weapons was developed with EU’s financial support within the programme of budgetary support for Police Reform 2016-2020. ‘’Today we witness the initiation of a new page in the work of the police, when the goal of the processes’ digitalization is materialized step by step. The operationalization of the electronic register of weapons nationally will significantly improve the record and preservation by the police of the data on the fire guns legally owned in Moldova,’’ the head of the General Police Inspectorate, Viorel Cernauteanu, said.    

For his part, Head of the EU Delegation in Moldova, Ambassador Jānis Mažeiks stressed that, through this initiative, EU backed the work carried out by the national authorities, in order to advance in the field of control of small arms and light weapons. ‘’In accordance with the  Moldova-European Union association agenda and in the context of the new status of country candidate, this action financed by EU represents an additional contribution to the security and fight against the organized crime. This is a key priority in EU’s cooperation with Moldova, for the benefit of its citizens,’’ Jānis Mažeiks said.  

„In these uncertain times, it is badly necessary that we develop innovating solutions, in order to approach the contemporary security challenges. The operationalization of the electronic register, for a quick and digital record of fire guns, represents an important component of the support which we provide to the authorities, in order to efficiently approach the threats implied by the fire guns,’’ UNDP Resident Representative in Moldova Dima Al-Khatib said.  

According to the Interior Ministry, there are more than 61,000 people who own about 75,000 lethal and non-lethal arms in Moldova. At the same time, the citizens who hold guns illegally run the risk of being punished with non-remunerated labour or with up to three years of imprisonment.  

Photo: UNDP Moldova