§ Lord Eatwellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the United Kingdom will continue to uphold the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe embargo on the export of weapons and military equipment to Azerbaijan. [HL2533]
§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean):The UK remains committed to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) arms embargo against both Azerbaijan and Armenia, which the UK interprets as covering all goods and technology controlled under entries in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (commonly known as the military list).
In March 2000 the Government approved a similar request for protective jackets for demining operations to Azerbaijan, a continuing problem.
While the grant of this licence constitutes an exception to the UK's interpretation of the scope of the embargo, it is in no way inconsistent with the purpose of the embargo and our continuing commitment to uphold it.