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Arms Trade Treaty - Eighth Conference of State Parties - EU Statement: Post-shipment controls

European External Action Service (EEAS)

22.08.2022
Geneva
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia[*], Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania* and Republic of Moldova, the potential candidate countries Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

At the outset, the EU would like to express its gratitude to Ambassador Thomas GÖBEL of Germany for his work as the President of the Eighth Conference of States Parties (CSP8) to the Arms Trade Treaty and for the well-defined priorities by the German Presidency. Whereas the emphasis of export controls remains on the pre-licensing phase, post-shipment control can be an important supplementary tool to strengthen the effectiveness of national arms export control. Post-shipment measures, e.g. on-site inspections or delivery verification certificates, are particularly useful tools to help prevent diversion within the buyer country or re -export under undesirable conditions.

A relationship of trust between exporting and importing state authorities is key in order to effectively use post-shipment verification.

In an era of strategic competition and complex security threats, the European Peace Facility (EPF) expands the EU's ability to provide security for its citizens and its partners. It enables the EU to provide all types of military equipment and infrastructure to the armed forces of EU partners, in compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Post-shipment controls can be part of the safeguard measures to ensure responsible transfers. The EU encourages further discussion on the tool of post-delivery or post-shipment controls in the context of CSP8 and beyond, and thanks Germany for putting the topic high on the agenda.

Thank you, Mr. President.

[*] North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.