§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the EU arms embargo in relation to China. [179644]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe European Council on 12 December 2003 invited the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) to re-examine the EU arms embargo on China. The GAERC met on 26 January 2004 and decided to remit the issue to the relevant working groups for detailed examination. The issue will revert to a future GAERC.
The Government welcome the Review and Ministers are currently considering the UK's position. In the meantime we will continue fully to implement the arms embargo.