Source: European Parliament
The investigation into the incident in Brussels on 5 February 2025 is under the competence of Belgian authorities. The Commission has not received official confirmation on the firearms used, their illegal acquisition, or their origin.
The Commission adopted an EU Action plan on firearms trafficking[1] in 2020 which outlines four key priorities, including enhancing international cooperation. The Plan includes specific actions for South-East Europe including the Western Balkans region, where the Commission works closely with partner countries.
All these actions are embedded in the goals of a regional Roadmap which was agreed among Western Balkans countries. The Roadmap was supported and funded by the EU[2] with a view to enhancing cooperation, improving information sharing, and strengthening law enforcement capabilities to address this serious issue.
At operational level, the Commission actively participates in different actions on firearms within the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats[3], a Member State-led platform that brings together Member States, EU agencies and institutions and is funded by the Commission. The multidisciplinary cooperation also targets the Western Balkans. This comprehensive approach demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to addressing the serious issue of firearms trafficking.
In 2025, the Commission will propose common criminal law standards on illicit firearms trafficking, as well as a new EU Action Plan against firearms trafficking, which will focus on safeguarding the licit market, curtailing criminal activities, based on better intelligence and strengthening of international cooperation with a particular focus on Ukraine and the Western Balkans.