While work on the drafting of the text of the proposed international arms trade treaty is still ongoing, it is a promising initiative and I commend the non-governmental organisations concerned for their efforts. An official of my Department participated in a conference held last November at Cambridge University in England, the purpose of which was to examine the text of the proposed treaty. I understand that the text is being re-examined from a legal perspective by those NGOs involved in the arms control campaign who are meeting this month in Costa Rica and that as a consequence of those discussions revisions to the text may be made. We await the outcome of that meeting. Ireland will continue to be associated with the process and will closely monitor developments.
The proposed treaty is under discussion within the EU. Discussions have taken place at working group level, most recently last month, and will continue during Ireland's Presidency of the EU. Ireland was actively involved in the establishment of the EU code of conduct on arms exports, which was adopted by the EU General Affairs Council in June 1998. All exports of arms from EU countries must conform to this politically binding code which establishes criteria to control such exports. The code lists the factors to be taken into account when deciding whether to allow an export of military goods, including respect for human rights, the internal situation in the country of final destination and the preservation of regional peace, security and stability. A review of the code is already ongoing in the Union. This review includes the possible reinforcement of the status of the code of conduct, for example, by its transformation into an EU Common Position, which would be legally binding. Ireland is supportive of such a reinforcement of the code.
