Activities of Afzal KHAN related to 2015/2114(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Arms export: implementation of the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (A8-0338/2015 - Bodil Valero)
Amendments (5)
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas regulating international arms trade is by definition a global ambition, with arms export control regime harmonisation at the centre the EU’s overall diplomatic ambition: promote democracy and the rule of law and preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security; whereas the EU must ensure the consistency of its external activities as a whole in the context of its external relations, in accordance with the Treaty on European Union (TEU);
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP is a legally binding framework laying down eight criteria for the export of conventional arms that EU Member States apply to their licensing decisions; whereas however the decision to transfer or deny the transfer of any military technology or equipment remains at the national discretion of Member States; whereas there is no reporting system to verify Member States’ compliance with the eight criteria nor there are sanctions mechanisms in case of non-compliance;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is deeply concerned by the spread of violent conflicts in its neighbourhood, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Libya, Libya and Yemen, and that much of this has been fuelled by arms transfers, including from EU Member States;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Finds regrettable, notwithstanding the numerous arms export control regimes, that developments in the last two years have shown that weapons often end up in the hands of repressive regimes, countries where children are known to be or may potentially be recruited or used in hostilities, armed groups and violent non- state actors, terrorists and criminals, and are used to fuel insecurity and armed conflicts internally and externally, or to support internal repression, regional conflicts and grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that EU Member States are major global arms exporters, accounting for EUR 36.7 billion in exports in 2013, of which EUR 26.7 billion is to non-EU countries; considers that the defence industry should aim to primarily ensure defence and security of EU Member States; reiterates that Article 10 of the Common Position states that considerations of economic, commercial and industrial interests by Member States shall not affect the application of the eight criteria regulating arms exports; regrets however that this article is often overlooked, especially since European defence companies are increasingly compensating for their reduced turnover in Europe through extra-EU exports; is seriously concerned by the consequences for the security and defence of the EU caused by the transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology to third countries;