The Political-Military Group (PMG) of the EU Council agreed on Thursday 8 October on possible guarantees for aid measures to be financed by the future European Peace Facility.
In a document intended for the Political and Security Committee obtained by EUROPE, the Politico-Military Group therefore points out that compliance with all European Union, national and international legislation on arms export controls, in particular Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment, and compliance with international standards as established by the Arms Trade Treaty, including by the recipient, forms a precondition for the supply of equipment.
The PMG emphasised that EU Council decisions on the provision of equipment should be based on “the identified needs and absorption capacity of the beneficiary, as well as on a methodological framework based on context analysis, risk assessment and appropriate precautionary and mitigation measures”. The human rights situation should also be taken into account, as should the potential cost of inaction.
The group is of the opinion that safeguards should be “mandatory, proportionate and tailored to specific circumstances”, while noting the need for the Facility to remain both “ effective and responsive”. They should also take into account and, where possible, build on existing EU measures and processes, in particular in the framework of CSDP missions and operations, the African Peace Facility action programmes, and security sector reform programmes.
According to the PMG, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, along with support from Member States, should ensure that beneficiaries are accountable and responsible and that international standards are met.
Appropriate checks should be carried out after shipment, insofar as the EU Council deems it necessary. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)