The German federal government apparently wants to speed up the approval process for arms exports. According to reports, this should apply to deliveries to selected EU and NATO partners, as well as close partner countries.
According to a message from the cabinet of Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Greens), the Federal Office for Economy and Export Control will introduce “short-term” measures to significantly speed up administrative processes in export control. In concrete terms, decisions should no longer be taken in the form of individual cases, but more collectively than so-called general decisions. This should apply from September.
Special rule for export to Ukraine
Ministry officials said the procedural simplifications would not apply to Ukraine. There is already a special arrangement for Ukraine, so that procedures are given priority and are therefore approved quickly. State Secretary Sven Giegold (Greens) said that exporters are rightly demanding faster approval procedures. “On the other hand, human rights and the security situation demand in-depth investigation – also with a view to sanctions. Under the new regulations, alliance and value partners are now more quickly and easily armed. Exports to other third countries will be examined in detail on a case-by-case basis.”
Despite the Russian offensive war against Ukraine, German arms exports fell slightly last year. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Berlin, licenses will be issued in 2022 for the export of arms worth 8.36 billion euros, in 2021 the total value will be 9.35 billion euros. Of the licenses issued last year, 3.96 billion euros went to weapons of war and 4.4 billion euros to other armaments.
Source: Krone
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