Activities of Inés AYALA SENDER related to 2015/2114(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
Arms export: implementation of the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (A8-0338/2015 - Bodil Valero) ES
Arms export: implementation of the Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate) ES
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP PDF (186 KB) DOC (123 KB)
Amendments (16)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Heading 1
Heading 1
on the control of arms exports: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas, with regard to conflicts, risk prevention is always more effective than risk control, and whereas action to combat social exclusion, to eradicate poverty and to foster intercultural dialogue helps to maintain stability and security;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas, pursuant to the Lisbon Treaty, poverty eradication is the primary objective of EU development policy, and whereas it is also one of the priorities for EU external action to build a more stable and prosperous world; whereas supplying weapons to countries in conflict not only increases the likelihood of the violence escalating but also has a negative impact on those countries’ development potential, as is made clear in reports by humanitarian organisations that have quantified that impact1; (IANSA, Oxfam International, and Saferworld: Africa’s missing billions – International arms flows and the cost of conflict, 2007)
Amendment 26 #
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 and by the Middle East conflict and all international conflicts, which, in an increasingly globalised world, are a threat to world stability and security;
Amendment 52 #
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, although its importance in helping to ensure global stability and security should not be overlooked; 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;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Acknowledges the legitimacy of exports that fully meet the criteria laid down in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and are carried out in response to a request made to the EU in accordance with the right to self-defence;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that, while denials and suspensions of licences following embargos or conflicts and revolutions such as the Arab Spring are a positive sign, they indicate that the EU export policy is merely reactive in character; considers that a more thorough assessment of the specific risks associated with recipient countries would be necessary before licensing;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the risks deriving from diversions, smuggling and the stockpiling of arms are increasing; stresses the risks that arms exported to third countries might be re-introduced into Europe with unprecedented ease and speed owing to increased arms smuggling and enhanced mobilityarms trafficking and the glaring lack of inspections at points of entry, such as ports, thus compromising the security of citizens as was highlighted in a recent EUROPOL report16; welcomes the review of the EU legislation on firearms and the intention to strengthen police cooperation with neighbouring countries on arms smuggling; calls accordingly on the Commission to enhance Europol’s capabilities; __________________ 16 Exploring Tomorrow’s Organised Crime, 2015, Europol
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that arms export controls are an integral part of EU foreign and security policy and shall be guided by the principles enshrined in Article 21 of TEU, notably the promotion of democracy and the rule of law and preservation of peace, prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security; recalls that arms exports might affect the credibility of the EU as a global human rights advocate; calls for the new EU global strategy on foreign and security policy to properly consider arms export issues in view of the changed security environment and associated risks and threats; acknowledges the legitimacy of exports that fully meet the criteria laid down in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the entry into force of the ATT; welcomes the outreach activities undertaken by the EU to promote universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty; calls on the Commission to urge the Member States that have not ratified the ATT to do so at the earliest opportunity;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes COARM’s review of Common Position 2008/944 and the conclusion that it properly serves the objectives set by the Council, and that it is in line with the ATT; expresses concern that Member States thought that no change was necessary despite weaknesthe increases in arms exports policies exposed by the Arab Springterrorist activity following 9/11 and, more recently, the emergence of ISIS;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Member States to ensure a stricter application of the eight criteria; believes that Member States including at European level in COARM should broaden their assessments to include a focus on the situation in the country of destination as well as on the specific military technology in question; encourages Member States to apply stricter national criteria; calls for a further criterion to be added to the common position in order to ensure that proper account is taken, when issuing licences, of the risk of bribery and corruption in connection with exports;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the need to ensure a more coherent policy on embargos; calls on Member States to eliminate any ambiguities in their systems but also at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement concerning the export of ‘military’ and ‘non-military’ arms, which could lead to small arms transfers being able to circumvent regulation systems through being described as ‘non-military’; acknowledges, nonetheless, the legitimacy of exports of hunting and sporting weapons for civilian use, which are governed by Regulation (EU) No 258/2012 implementing Article 10 of the United Nations’ Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition; notes that weapons of this kind do not come within the scope of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, given that there is little risk of them being used in armed conflicts;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for enhanced consultations between the Member States with regard to transfers to fragile and unstable regions or countries; calls on the Member States to establish and publish a list of persons (including entities and individuals) that have been convicted of violating arms- export-related legislation and of cases of identified diversion; calls on the Member States to provide detailed information on procedures for the revocation or suspension of granted licences with regard to countries subject to an embargo; and persons who have not been convicted by a court but are known to be involved in illegal arms trading or in activities that pose a threat to international security (as has been seen with the economic sanctions in connection with the Ukraine conflict); calls on the Member States to provide detailed information on procedures for the revocation or suspension of granted licences with regard to countries subject to an embargo and to draw up a list of countries that have violated one or more of the eight criteria in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, to serve as a basis for decisions taken by national authorities;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recalls that governments bear the political responsibility of whether or not to export military or dual-use goods; calls on the Member States to provide detailed information on each of the licences issued, so as to make it possible for checks to be carried out at EU level in order to ensure that countries do not fail to meet the common position criteria out of economic, political or personal interest; calls for the EEAS/COARM to take on the task of scrutinising licences that are thought not to meet the common position criteria;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Considers that technological developments make it increasingly more difficult to distinguish between pure military and pure civilian use; calls on the VP/HR, the Member States and the Commission to ensure that there are no loopholes at the level of the Wassenaar Arrangement and between the Military List and the Annexes of the Dual-Use Regulation and to pay particular attention to new technology of strategic importance such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, applied robotics and surveillance technology;