Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-11-16-Speech-2-031"
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"en.20041116.7.2-031"2
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"Mr President, I am anxious to contribute to this debate to emphasise two main points. First of all, there is nothing wrong with legitimate arms trade and legitimate EU arms exports consistent with a working code of conduct.
Secondly and more importantly, effective control of arms exports is an essential part of a coherent policy that meets EU objectives on peace, respect for human rights and democracy. As many speakers have said, conventional arms kill more that half a million people a year, that is one person every minute. There are 639 million small arms in circulation in the world produced by over one thousand companies in a least 98 countries. It is essential therefore that the EU have a strict arms code policy that equates with EU values if we are to offer global leadership on this issue.
The EU must also continue to promote an international code of conduct. The export of small arms in particular to third countries which do not uphold values of democracy and human rights creates greater instability, not just in the regions to which the arms are exported, but for the world as a whole.
It is a fact that uncontrolled arms exports undermine global security. The voluntary code of conduct in the European Union has had some success; we need to build on that success. Continuing the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports on a voluntary basis in the future does not go far enough. I support the recommendation that the voluntary code becomes a legally binding one. This would be a bold step but one that can allow the European Union to increase its control, in a more realistic way, over the export of arms from European Union countries.
I would like to comment on the recommendations in the report that a tax be imposed on arms exports. It is my view that if the industry in Europe abides by a binding code of conduct and the only arms being traded are legitimate and consistent with that code, it is then inappropriate to burden the industry with an extra tax.
With regard to the lifting of the embargo on arms in China, I support the rapporteur's view that the ban should remain in place. While I welcome and support the dialogue and the development of a positive relationship between the European Union and China, removal of the arms embargo in the immediate term is still premature."@en1
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