Source · Select Committees · Committees on Arms Export Controls
Recommendation 16
16
Deferred
We acknowledge that the EU arms control rules (other than the dual-use items) in Common...
Recommendation
We acknowledge that the EU arms control rules (other than the dual-use items) in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP are part of the CFSP, rather than trade policy, and could therefore have been included in an EU/UK foreign policy agreement but that the UK Government rejected such an agreement. However, we are aware of the concerns regarding divergence between the EU and UK’s controls systems and in particular the UK’s loss of access to the EU’s information sharing systems, especially in respect of the denial of licences. The Government should explore options for an agreement that would grant it access to the EU’s information sharing protocols or explain in its response to our report why it does not deem this to be necessary. (Paragraph 53) Compliance and Enforcement
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges benefits from EU information sharing but defers any action, stating that future cooperation would be subject to broader UK-EU negotiations and could only take place in that context.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
To date there has been limited divergence between UK and EU export controls. The Strategic Export Licensing Criteria remain compatible with the EU Common Position, and the UK and EU military and dual-use export control lists remain broadly aligned. The UK is an active participant in the international export control regimes, from which the control lists derive, and which provide opportunities to share information and discuss a wide range of export control issues with international partners, including EU Member States. While there would be benefits from having access to EU information sharing systems, any future cooperation and information sharing arrangements would be subject to negotiation with the EU. Any such negotiation could only take place in the context of the broader relationship between the UK and the EU.