Export controls regarding dual-use goods

Adopting the report by Werner Langen (PPE,DE), the PArliament approves the Commission's report but regrets that it was not consulted by the Council on the proposal for a Council regulation modifying the Community system. It considers that the proposed regulation's guidelines for the Member States' decisions on whether or not to grant export authorisations should be brought into line with the criteria included in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and calls for the inclusion in the regulation of a recognition of the relevance of these criteria, including the criterion on human rights. The Parliament agains stresses: - the need for a frequent and regular review of products categorised as sensitive in order not to hamper the growth of companies producing such goods; - the importance of the use and export of dual-use military expertise and technology for civilian techniques and standards as well as the development of electronic trading; - the need to avoid unnecessary obstacles to the development of strong encryption systems; The Parliament recommends the extension of uniform EU-wide control to include unlisted dual-use goods if they can be used for conventional armaments purposes. It emphasises that, in order for a uniform non-proliferation fence to be maintained around the EU, not only must harmonisation of export control legislation proceed apace, but a harmonised authorisation policy must be established under a common foreign and security policy. The Member States are invited to abandon their opposition to a common export control policy for dual-use goods and to create the necessary legal basis in the Council without delay.�