Division 1 Objectives

The objectives of this Decision are to promote improved controls on arms exports by third countries and to support third countries’ efforts at national and regional level to render international trade in conventional weapons more responsible and transparent. These objectives shall be pursued in accordance with the principles set in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and seeking complementarity and synergies with Union’s assistance projects in the field of export controls on dual-use goods.

In order to achieve the abovementioned objectives, the Union shall continue to promote the principles and criteria of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, building on the achievements reached through the implementation of Decision 2009/1012/CFSP and Joint Action 2008/230/CFSP. For this purpose, assistance shall be provided to third countries to draft, update and implement, as appropriate, relevant legislative and administrative measures aiming at establishing an effective system of conventional arms export controls. Support should also be given to the training of licensing and enforcement officers in third countries responsible for the implementation and enforcement of arms export controls, and to national and regional measures to promote transparency and appropriate scrutiny in the exports of conventional weapons.

The objective of rendering international trade in conventional weapons more responsible and transparent will also be pursued through the promotion, vis-à-vis third countries, of the elaboration and implementation of a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty, establishing common international standards for the global trade in conventional arms.