Written question asked by Malcolm Savidge (Labour) on Thursday, 6 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 7 April 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Friday, 7 April 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the UK will continue to uphold the OSCE embargo on the export of weapons and military equipment to Azerbaijan.

Answer: Mr. Savidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the UK will continue to uphold the OSCE embargo on the export of weapons and military equipment to Azerbaijan. [118646] Mr. Vaz: The UK remains committed to the OSCE arms embargo against both Azerbaijan and Armenia, which the UK interprets as covering all goods and technology controlled under entries in Part III of schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (commonly known as the military list). We have recently approved the export of 60 protective vests for demining operations to Azerbaijan. These will be used by the United Nations Development Programme during humanitarian land mine clearance operations. While the grant of this licence constitutes an exception to the UK's interpretation of the scope of the embargo, it is in no way inconsistent with the purpose of the embargo and our continuing commitment to uphold it. It also reflects the determination of the Government to eliminate the scourge of land mines.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 347 c631W; 118646
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Arms trade Bomb disposal Export controls Landmines Protective clothing Sanctions UN Development Programme Azerbaijan Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk