EN E-000974/2021
Reply
(5.7.2021)
The Council has expressed concerns about Turkey’s military actions, notably in its conclusions of 14 October 2019 on North East Syria (1). In that context, Member States committed to strong national positions regarding their arms export policy to Turkey on the basis of the provision of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP on arms export control, including the strict application of criteria 4 on regional stability. These conclusions were subsequently endorsed by the European Council on 18 October 2019 (2) and reaffirmed on 2 October 2020 (3).
In accordance with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (4), each Member State assesses the arms export licence applications made to it on a case-by-case basis against the criteria of the Common Position. The decision to transfer or deny the transfer of any military technology or equipment remains at the national discretion of each Member State.
Overall, the Council would also like to recall that the Members of the European Council held a discussion on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and on the European Union’s relations with Turkey in their meeting of 25 March 2021. In their statement, they recalled the European Union’s strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. They also called on Turkey to abstain from renewed provocations or unilateral actions in breach of international law.
Taking into account the Joint Communication of 22 March 20215, they reaffirmed the determination of the European Union, in case of such action, to use the instruments and options at its disposal to defend its interests and those of its Member States as well as to uphold regional stability.
1 13090/19.
2 EUCO 23/19.
3 EUCO 13/20.
4 Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules
governing control of exports of military technology and equipment; OJ L 335, 13.12.2008,
p. 99.
5 7416/1/21 REV 1; Joint Communication to the European Council: State of play of EUTurkey political, economic and trade relations; JOIN (2021) 8/final 2.
© European Union, 2021 – EP