§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the renewed European Union and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe dialogue with Belarus will cover arms exports and proliferation and the verification of end-uses for such exports. [HL1892]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanAn EU-Belarus dialogue is still at an early stage. But the message already being delivered bilaterally by EU member states and by EU demarche is the need for more responsible arms exports. We encourage Belarus to sign up to and apply the criteria of the EU code of conduct to their arms exports and have welcomed their recent efforts at transparency in arms exports.
Belarus has signed up to the OSCE's small arms and light weapons (SALW) document, which requires the adoption of a series of principles to improve national controls over the export of SALW and for states to exchange information on legislation and current practice on export policy and procedures. Belarus has provided this information. Belarus has also asked the OSCE for assistance with the destruction of large quantities of SA LW and ammunition. An assessment visit is planned but before providing any destruction funds, we and other donors wish to see progress on Belarus' export controls as a demonstration of political will.