July 17, 2009

Closing Statement at the second session of the Open-ended Working Group towards
an arms trade treaty, establishing common international standards for the import,
export and transfer of conventional arms. Statement made by Ambassador Bertil
Roth, Swedish Plenipotentiary for ATT issues.
Mr. Chairman,

I take the floor on behalf of the European Union.

The Candidate Countries Croatia, Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, the Countries of Stabilization and Association Process and Potential
Candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, as well as Ukraine and
the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.

We are approaching the end of the second session of the Open-ended Working Group
on a possible Arms Trade Treaty. The European Union believes that during this week
we have heard fruitful and clarifying discussions in a constructive manner. We
continue to consider that as the problem before us is global, we have to seek a global
solution within the framework of the United Nations.
Mr. Chairman,

In this Working Group we have heard still different views on the appropriate way to
seek a solution regarding the unregulated trade in conventional weapons. However,
the views seem to be more convergent than ever. I sense that there is now a common
understanding - I dare to say a consensus - that the unregulated international trade in
conventional arms is a common problem for the international community and that we
together have to work for a solution. I believe that this consensus is a very important
fact and a good and stable ground for our future work.
The European Union stands convinced that a comprehensive Arms Trade Treaty, i.e. a
legally binding instrument setting high international standards for the import, exports
and transfers of conventional arms, including ammunition, would be the best solution
to this problem. Only a legally binding agreement will create real commitments for
states to implement and enforce agreed rules. As it has been said here before, not even
such a treaty would solve all the problems related to the diversion of weapons to the
illicit market. However, an ATT would make the diversion of weapons much more
difficult. While we see a merit in the ongoing discussions, I consider we should
continue them in a more operative and focused way, and soon start negotiations on a
treaty.
It has been argued that as existing regional agreements and arrangements on arms
exports do not always work properly, we can hardly expect a global legally binding
treaty to work better. What would be the added value of such a treaty? I would answer
that part of the explanation for the limits of these regional arrangements, is precisely
their regional character that leaves considerable loopholes. Only an Arms Trade
Treaty with the highest possible common standards can create a system to which
everybody is bound and where opportunities for the diversion of conventional arms
trade are sensibly diminished.
We have also heard the view that a legally binding ATT might allow countries to
deny arms transfers, by abusing the application of possible parameters for political
purposes. I would argue that, on the contrary, an ATT would enhance transparency
and predictability in the international arms trade.
The EU holds the view that inclusiveness is key in this process. In this spirit, we will
continue to implement our Council Decision and to organize four more regional
seminars to promote discussions on an ATT.
The report we have adopted is essentially procedural. We are grateful to the Mexican
delegation for having taken the initiative to add some substantive paragraphs to it. The
EU would have been ready to include in the report even more substantive issues
discussed during the first two sessions of the Open-ended Working Group.
This autumn it will be up to the General Assembly and its First Committee to assess
the results achieved by the working group so far, and to consider strengthening our
mandate. The European Union stands ready to actively and progressively engage in
consultations on this matter.
Last but not least, I would like to warmly thank you, Ambassador Garcia Moritán, for
your highly able and professional way in which you have guided our work this week
through these troubled waters.