The EU Common Position review: Fixing or fiddling?

Every five years the EU reviews its Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, which sets out legally binding rules for member states on approving conventional arms transfers. The previous review saw minor improvements in the areas of transparency and reporting as well as limited changes to the criteria in light of member states becoming States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty. However, the current review offers an opportunity for member states to make more significant improvements.

Saferworld has developed four short policy briefings (consolidated here) offering recommendations around the following areas: export control of jointly funded and produced products to non-EU countries; possible changes to the EU Common Position criteria; post-shipment controls; and transparency and reporting. 
 
Read more about the COARM-NGO forum Saferworld co-hosted in July 2023.

Read more about Saferworld’s contribution to the previous (2019) Common Position review process.

Find out more about Saferworld's work on effective arms control.