Annex A - Official Documents

2005 Strategic Export Controls
10
2.1 Arms Trade Treaty
While we have stringent controls in the UK, and
many other countries have similar standards, it is a
reality that many countries have no export control
mechanisms, or have systems that are weak and
easily abused. This situation allows irresponsible
arms traders overseas to make sales with little
regard for how the arms will be used. We believe
this is unacceptable. It is why we have called for an
international treaty to cover the trade in all
conventional arms. And it is why such a treaty
needs to be based on core principles which make
clear when exports would be unacceptable,
including where the sale would fuel conflict or be
used in the commission of human rights abuses. It
is also why a treaty needs to have an effective
mechanism for enforcement and monitoring, and
include a wide range of signatories, including the
world's major arms exporters.
We are continuing to build support for the concept
of a treaty, with the aim of securing in 2006 the
agreement to a UN based process to take the
initiative forward. Although securing a treaty is a
long-term goal, international support is growing.
Under the Presidency of the United Kingdom the
European Union agreed on 3 October 2005
Council Conclusions which:
Section 2
International Policy
“…. acknowledged the growing support, in all parts
of the world, for an international treaty to establish
common standards for the global trade in
conventional arms and… called for the start of a
formal process at the United Nations at the earliest
opportunity…”
On 27 November 2005 the Heads of Government
of the Commonwealth, which importantly brings
together a wide cross section of developed and
developing counties, meeting in Valletta, noted:
“the proposal for the development of common
international standards for the trade in all
conventional weapons and added their support to
calls for work on such a treaty to commence at the
UN.”
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett reinforced our
intention to take this work forward in 2006 whilst
speaking to Parliament on 23 May 2006, saying:
“We are building support for a UN-based process
towards an international arms trade treaty… .We
are in contact with a wide range of partners to
secure agreement for the start of a formal process
at the UN General Assembly later this year.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett accepts the Million Faces petition from the Control Arms Campaign and the
Defence Manufacturers Association on 20 June 2006.