The European Parliament and Small Arms Transfers

The European Parliament (EP) has no legislative authority on the issue of Small Arms Transfers. However, the EP has both independent opinions on arms policy and responds to the Council's annual reports under the European Code of Conduct on Arms Exports (see below).

Policies of the European Parliament
In 1995, the European Parliament adapted a resolution on the need for European controls on the export or transfer of arms. This was followed up in 1998 with a resolution on a European code of conduct on the export of arms. When Franco-UK plans of a Code of Conduct were launched, a second 1998 resolution was passed. Another European Parliament resolution on small arms was agreed upon in 2001.

The European Parliament also expresses opinions on Small Arms events, such as the European Parliament resolution on the UN Conference on illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, held in July 2001. A joint ACP-EU Assembly Resolution on the code of conduct on arms exports, anti-personnel mines and the Ottawa process was passed in 1998.

Similar to National Parliaments, the European Parliament is divided into Committees dealing with specific issues. Arms transfers matters are normally dealt with by the "Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy". You can read more here about the Powers and responsibilities of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy.

Responses to the Code of Conduct
The European Parliament annually issues responses to the Council's Annual Reports on the implementation of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. This is done through both resolutions and parliamentary reports.

Read the European Parliament Resolution on the first annual review of the EU Code of Conduct on the export or transfer of arms (1999)

Read the European Parliament resolution on the Council's First Annual Report according to the Operative Provision 8 of the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports (2000).

Read the European Parliament resolution on the Council's Second Annual Report according to Operative Provision 8 of the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports (2001).

Download: European Parliament Report on the Council's 1999 Annual Report on the Implementation of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports (PDF) Issued in 2000.

Download: European Parliament Report on the Council's 2000 Annual Report on the Implementation of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports (PDF) issued in 2001.

Download: European Parliament Report on the Council's 2001 Annual Report on the Implementation of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports (PDF) issued in 2002.