Illegal weapons were collected during the "Less Arms - Less Tragedies" campaign at the start of this year in eight police districts. Today's event was the continuation of a campaign which began in September 2007. Since then, more than 11,500 firearms, with a total weight of 26 tonnes, have been destroyed.
In attendance were Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko, UNDP representative to Croatia Louise Vinton, the head of the European Union's Delegation, Paul Vandoren, and Croatian police officials.
President Josipovic called on Croatians to continue handing illegal arms to police stations.
The total budget for arms control activities, conducted by the UNDP and the Croatian Interior Ministry, is EUR 410,000. The EU-funded activities are supported by the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC).