The Minister for Europe and the Americas (Sir Alan
Duncan): I would like to inform the House of a change of
the Government’s arms exports policy in relation to Argentina.
This change will lift additional restrictions which were imposed
in 2012, at a time when the Argentine Government was escalating
actions aimed at harming the economic interests of the Falkland
islanders.
Since the election of President Macri in December 2015, the UK’s
relationship with Argentina has been improving. I visited Buenos
Aires in September 2016—the first visit by a Foreign and
Commonwealth Office Minister since 2009. During the visit an
historic UK-Argentina joint communiqué was agreed that
established closer co-operation across our bilateral relationship
(including in defence) and secured important benefits for the
Falkland islanders. The Foreign Secretary also visited Buenos
Aires in May 2018, the first Foreign Secretary visit to Argentina
since 1993, in a further demonstration of the improving bilateral
relationship between the UK and Argentina.
Following these positive developments the Government believe it
is appropriate to now lift the additional 2012 restrictions.
Under those restrictions it has been the British Government's
policy not to grant an export licence for any military or
dual-use goods and technology being supplied to military
end-users in Argentina, except in exceptional circumstances.
Our general position now will be to continue to refuse licences
for export and trade of goods judged to enhance Argentine
military capability. However, where like-for-like equipment is no
longer available, we may grant licences where we judge they are
not detrimental to the UK’s defence and security interests.
Licence applications for equipment and defence technology which
meet the above criteria will still be assessed on a case-by-case
basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export
licensing criteria (the “consolidated criteria”).
The United Kingdom takes its export control responsibilities very
seriously and operates one of the most robust export control
regimes in the world. We rigorously examine every application on
a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national
arms export licensing criteria, and remain prepared to suspend or
revoke licences should the level of risk increase.
