EU-OUTREACH IN EXPORT CONTROL OF DUAL-USE ITEMS (LTP)

Transcription

1 PAGE 1 EU-OUTREACH NEWSLETTER JANUARY/ 60 FEBRUARY 2015 IN THIS ISSUE 1 EU-Outreach in Export Control of Dual-Use Items (LTP) 4 EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE 5 and CoE 8) EU-OUTREACH IN EXPORT CONTROL OF DUAL-USE ITEMS (LTP) EXPORT CONTROL FORUM IN FRANKFURT 6 EU Arms Trade Treaty Outreach Project (ATT-OP) 7 Activity Calendar 8 Points of Contact For further information or general questions on our projects and activities promoted in this newsletter, please contact : Irina.Albrecht@bafa.bund.de. Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), February 2015 BAFA Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged. On January, an Export Con trol Forum entitled New and Evolving Challenges took place in Frankfurt within the EU-Outreach Programme in Export Control of Dual-Use Items. The EU Commission was led by Mr Eddie Maier, Deputy Head of Unit B5 Instrument for Stability, Nuclear Safety at Directorate General Development and Cooperation (DG DEVCO). The key note speech was delivered by Mr Paul Schulte, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Science and Security Studies in King s College, London. Representatives from 23 partner countries in the framework of the programme as well as 12 EU experts from Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, UK, and US representatives from Department of State and Commerce were attending this international event. The EU Commission was represented by Mr Eddie Maier and Mr Wolfgang Lehofer, Project Manager from DG DEVCO. The academic point of view was supported by a member of the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy as well as by Mr. Paul Schulte. The area of strategic trade controls has significantly transformed in the last decade and is globally recognized as a key security instrument in responding to emerging th re ats and challenges. The recent Report entitled Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: The Review of export control policy: ensuring security and competitiveness in a changing world (24 April 2014) emphasizes the need to transform export control policies responding to new challenges. The Forum was delving into these complex topics in order to facilitate a discussion between countries with advanced export control systems and those which are in the process of developing such a system. Such an approach has a multi-dimensional effect as it reflects the different levels and the cross-cutting nature of complex export control issues in regard to procedural requirements, setting regulations, control procedures as well as effective enforcement practices. Therefore, EU good practices and models were debated and shared among partner countries. EU experts explicitly addressed the effective implementation of working-practices, thereby respecting different A newsletter published by the EU-Outreach Programmes on

2 PAGE 2 control activities such as transit/transhipment, emerging technologies in the dual-use control list as well as intangible technology transfers (ITT). This included the associated risks with cloud computing, catch-all as well as sustainability of the export control system. The two-days Forum was divided into four panel discussions (an evolving and sustainable export control system, Technological Developments, Transit and Transhipment and Regional approaches of practical and effective implementation of strategic trade controls), followed by discussion groups picking up on the plenary themes again. The discussion groups were concentrating on more focused exchange and debate in strategic trade control novelties, national experiences and tradi tional topics that touched in some way on all relevant aspects presented during the plenary. The panelists EU experts and the partner countries representatives gave a short intervention on a specific topic and could elaborate on the key-note speech by Mr Schulte, which highlighted the current and future global challenges the international community is facing. The Forum provided a platform for almost 100 participants to exchange challenges they are facing and to find joint solutions for effective functioning of export control systems and implementation. The event kept turning an eye to debating strategic trade novelties and emerging challenges within a regional perspective. The necessity to exchange information and to strengthen regional cooperation was underlined during the last panel discussion as well as in the corresponding dis cussion group. Source: BAFA

3 PAGE 3 EU-OUTREACH IN EXPORT CONTROL OF DUAL-USE ITEMS (LTP) UPCOMING EVENT PAKISTAN GOOD PRACTICES IN LICENSING (WORKSHOP) On January 2015, a workshop entitled Good Practices in Licensing (Workshop) took place in Eschborn, Germany for a delegation from Pakistan. Main objective of the event was to share best practices in the area of export control procedures both in Pakistan and in the EU, with a special focus on licensing. The Pakistani delegation consisted of 10 representatives with thorough knowledge on licensing issues. Presentations on each session not only from the EU s side, but also from Pakistan s part, ensured effective and fruitful discussions, from which both sides could benefit. Topics included latest information in the area of export controls on both sides, as well as an update on the respective control lists. Other aspects, which were discussed included ITT-controls, the role of industry in the licensing process, risk assessment, management of licensing authorities, end-use controls, record keeping and data compilation. A time slot was further dedicated to case studies. The first day of the workshop was attended by a representative of DG DEVCO. EU Experts from Hungary, Germany and the UK further shared their expertise on licensing issues with the participants. MOROCCO LICENSING SEMINAR A licensing seminar will take place in Rabat, Morocco on February The event is planned to be targeted at an audience with advanced knowledge in the area of licensing. Several EU Experts will support the seminar while providing their valuable knowledge in these areas. Source: BAFA

4 PAGE 4 EU CBRN RISK MITIGATION CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE PROJECTS COE PROJECT 5 CENTRAL ASIA SECOND REGIONAL WORKSHOP As the last activity within the framework of the CoE project 5, the second Regional Workshop for Central Asia was held on December 2014 in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburg, being the location for the second Regional Workshop, offered the opportunity for a very practical approach in cooperation with and supported by the German Customs Administration, including a field visit to the container testing facilities at Customs Office Waltershof. For 2 ½ days, representatives from the respective agencies for policy, licensing and enforcement regarding CBRN import/export monitoring came together to discuss general and detailed questions regarding monitoring of CBRN controls. Due to the fact that all partner countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, participated in this event, the representatives used the opportunity for an extensive dialogue within the region. Beside the involvement of the Regional Mentor for Central Asia, as well as CBRN and Customs experts from Germany and Sweden, it was also a pleasure to welcome the Regional Coordinator for Central Asia from the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) to be present on the first day of the workshop, giving welcome remarks and standing ready for any further questions from the partner countries. Since some participants were newly involved in CBRN issues, the aim of the workshop was mutual to provide basics of CBRN import and export controls with a special focus on practical case studies regarding the classification of goods, licensing and risk handling, as well as on interagency cooperation emphasizing chemical and biological items. As it became clear throughout the project that there is a concrete interest on handling nuclear and radiological items, an expert from the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority was ready to point out special considerations in this field. All participating countries stressed out the importance of import and export controls in the field of CBRN as well as projects offering further exchange of information during the feedback and evaluation session. We would like to thank the involved experts from the Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP, Sweden) Swedish Radiation Safety Authority, Swedish Customs, German Customs Administration as well as the German Customs Criminological Office for their valuable support and sharing of their expertise which made this successful event possible. This Regional Workshop marked the finalization of the CoE project 5. Throughout the term of the project, a total of 35 activities could be conducted, including team meetings, several Source: BAFA

5 PAGE 5 visits to the partner countries, two Regional Workshops in each of the four regions as well as the trans-regional Central Harmonized Training, which brought together representatives from all partner countries for a week-long training on CBRN import/export. We would like to use this opportunity to thank the four Regional Mentors for their support and guidance offered to the partner countries throughout the project as well as all involved experts for their technical expertise and valuable contributions. Last but not least, we are grateful for the support received by the National Focal Points in all partner countries as well as the active involvement of all national experts taking part in the activities. Together we have been able to raise the awareness on the importance of CBRN import/export monitoring and path the way for further cooperation within the framework of the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative.

6 PAGE 6 THE EU ATT OUTREACH PROJECT PHILIPPINES INITIAL VISIT In the framework of the European Union s Arms Trade Treaty Outreach Project (ATT-OP) an initial visit to the Philippines took place in Manila on January During this two-day event, intensive and fruitful discussions were held with various Filipino governmental stakeholders with regard to the status quo of the ratification process of the ATT and how the ATT-OP can contribute Source: OSETC/BAFA to the effectiveness of this process. EU Experts from Croatia, UK and Sweden supported this visit with their expertise. Significant progress was achieved in discussions on how to establish the needs of the Philippines as they move towards ratification and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty. Presentations on the progress of the ATT implementation in the Philippines as well as an overview of the ATT Outreach Project were held at the beginning of the initial visit. Source: OSETC/BAFA Afterwards, representatives of various Filipino governmental bodies gave the attendees the opportunity to discuss various findings which are relevant for the upcoming process and to ask follow-up questions for clarification in order to get a detailed picture of the current control system at hand. In the months ahead, a roadmap of possible supporting activities and their specific design will be drafted in close cooperation with representatives of the Philippines. JAMAICA INITIAL VISIT The ATT-OP Initial Visit to Jamaica took place in Kingston, Jamaica on January Jamaica is the second partner country in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean to have requested support in the framework of this project. Representatives of several ministries and authorities responsible for arms transfer controls met with EU colleagues from Hungary, the Netherlands and Slovenia to discuss the status quo of relevant legislation as well as possible priorities and challenges with regard to effective implementation of the ATT. A roadmap for the next months will now be drafted in close cooperation with Jamaica and COARM. SENEGAL INITIAL VISIT Within the scope of the ATT Outreach project, an initial visit took place on February in Dakar, Senegal. During this event, all relevant stakeholders in Senegal came together in order to discuss challenges, priorities and needs posed by the ATT implementation. For two days, Senegalese experts discussed with their colleagues from Belgium, France and Portugal the national control system of arms transfers. Based on all these fruitful discussions, a tailormad e Roadmap will be developed in close cooperation with the responsible Senegalese authority, containing further activities with the aim to implement effective and sustainable measures regarding the ATT. Source: BAFA

7 PAGE 7 ACTIVITY CALENDAR CONTRACT DATE COUNTRY / REGION ACTIVITY POINT OF CONTACT JANUARY ATT-OP Phiippines Initial Visit ATT-OP Jamaica Initial Visit LTP All Regions Export Control Forum LTP Pakistan Good Practices in Licensing (as Back-to-Back with Export Control Forum) FEBRUARY ATT OP Senegal Initial Visit LTP Regional Seminar North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia) Licensing Event

8 PAGE 8 PAGE 8 POINTS OF CONTACT EU-OUTREACH IN EXPORT CONTROL OF DUAL-USE ITEMS Points of Contact: European Commission EuropeAid Development and Co-operation Office Mr Wolfgang Lehofer Wolfgang.LEHOFER@ec.europa.eu Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control Irina.Albrecht@bafa.bund.de EU ARMS TRADE TREATY OUTREACH PROJECT EU CBRN RISK MITIGATION CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE Project no 5 Knowledge development and transfer of best practice on CBRN import/export monitoring, implemented by BAFA in cooperation with SIPRI Points of Contact: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute Ms Tamara Neskovic neskovic@mail.unicri.it Points of Contact: European External Action Service Directorate for Security Policy and Conflicts Prevention NonProliferation-Disarm@eeas.europa.eu Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control Irina.Albrecht@bafa.bund.de Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control Ms Teresa Vogel Teresa.Vogel@bafa.bund.de Project no 38 Export Control for Dual-Use Items for Jordan and Kazakhstan Points of Contact: European Commission EuropeAid Development and Co-operation Office Mr Wolfgang Lehofer Wolfgang.LEHOFER@ec.europa.eu Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control Irina.Albrecht@bafa.bund.de