UK prepared to resume arms sales to Argentina after a six-year ban

28th Thursday, June 2018 - 10:54 UTC Full article

The decision comes a few weeks after Foreign Secretary Johnson visited Buenos Aires, where he vowed an intensifying relationship with Argentina

The restrictions were imposed when Cristina Kirchner was president, but relations have improved under her successor, Mauricio Macri. Following these positive developments, the Government believes it is appropriate to now lift the additional 2012 restrictions, Sir Alan told Parliament

Arms exports to the Argentine military are set to resume, more than six years after a ban imposed in a row over the Falkland Islands. Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan said restrictions would still be imposed on exports which could enhance Argentina's military capabilities.

It follows just weeks after the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson visited Buenos Aires, where he vowed to build a partnership and an intensifying relationship with Argentina.

The restrictions were imposed when Cristina Kirchner was president, but relations have improved under her successor, Mauricio Macri.

In a written statement to MPs, Sir Alan said: 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.

Following these positive developments, the Government believes it is appropriate to now lift the additional 2012 restrictions.

He added: Our general position now will be to continue to refuse licenses 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 licenses where we judge they are not detrimental to the UK's defense and security interests.

He told MPs that all applications would still be considered on a case-by-case basis against existing arms export rules.

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 licenses should the level of risk increase.