# Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560 of 16 September 2019 amending Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment, Introduction: Introductory text

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1560
of 16 September 2019
amending Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
On 8 December 2008 the Council adopted Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, which updated and replaced the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports adopted by the Council on 8 June 1998.
(2)
Since the adoption of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, a number of developments at both Union and international level have resulted in new obligations and commitments for Member States.
(3)
On 24 December 2014 the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which regulates the international trade in conventional arms, entered into force. All Member States are States Parties to the ATT. The ATT aims to establish the highest possible common international standards for regulating or improving the regulation of the international trade in conventional arms and to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their diversion.
(4)
On 20 July 2015 the Council adopted conclusions relating to the review of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and the implementation of the ATT, tasking the competent working group with reassessing the implementation of that Common Position and the fulfilment of its objectives in 2018.
(5)
On 25 September 2015 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes, inter alia, the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
(6)
On 19 November 2018 the Council adopted the EU Strategy against illicit firearms, small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, which replaced the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition adopted by the European Council in 2005. Its purpose is to guide integrated, collective and coordinated European action to prevent and curb the illicit acquisition of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition by terrorists, criminals and other unauthorised actors, and to promote accountability and responsibility with regard to the legal arms trade.
(7)
In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 21(3) of the Treaty on European Union, the Union is required to ensure consistency between the different areas of its external action. In this respect, the Council takes note of, inter alia, Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 and Regulations (EU) No 258/2012 and (EU) 2019/125 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(8)
It is appropriate to strengthen the Union's export control policy for military technology and equipment by updating Common Position 2008/944/CFSP.
(9)
Common Position 2008/944/CFSP should therefore be amended,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2019/1560/introduction (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2019-1560/introduction
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.