1. The development of the EU policy on SALW
Cost Conference,
Brussels, 18 March 2008,
Holger Anders, GRIP

2. Contents The EU policy on SALW Arms export controls
SALW-specific instruments and actions
Remaining challenges
Conclusions

3. The EU policy on SALW
There exists no single policy. Rather, ‘the policy’ is composed of various elements
Constituting elements:
Arms export controls
Promotion of SALW controls abroad

4. Arms export controls EU Code of Conduct, June 1998
User’s Guide, since November 2003
Annual reports on exports, since September 1999
Draft common position on EU Code, 2005
Not yet adopted due to political bargaining
Common Position on arms brokering, June 2003
Not yet implemented by 1/3 r d of states

5. SALW instruments and actions
EU Joint Action on SALW, Dec. 98 / July 02
14,5 million Euros spent since 1999
EU Strategy on SALW, December 2005
Providing policy guidance under the umbrella of the European Security Strategy
EU policy positions abroad
Consistently calling for high common standards

6. Remaining challenges
Weaknesses in information exchanges and reporting of EU states on arms exports
Political status of the EU Code
Implementation and scope of brokering controls
Limited influence on SALW controls abroad

7. Conclusions
‘EU policy’ has led to harmonisation of national practices on export controls and greater transparency
Important contributions are made to SALW controls abroad
Much remains to be done