Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position with regard to the EU arms embargo against China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13040/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's position on the lifting of the embargo on arms sales to China is clear and has not changed. We support the lifting of the embargo but we do not wish to see an increase in the quantity or quality of arms exports to China. This position was set out by the Taoiseach during his visit to Beijing in January 2005 when he also explained the importance to Ireland and the EU of continued progress in the promotion and protection of human rights in China.

The European Council meeting on 16 and 17 June 2005 was the most recent occasion on which the arms embargo was discussed with EU counterparts. The European Council recalled the conclusions of its December 2004 meeting, welcomed the progress made to date on the revision of the EU code of conduct on arms exports and the so-called toolbox and invited the Council to continue its work on that basis. As the EU works towards lifting the arms embargo, it has also engaged in a dialogue on the issue at senior official level with key partners, including the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Australia. The EU approach was conveyed to Chinese Foreign Minister Li when he met with the Troika of EU Foreign Ministers at the EU-China ministerial meeting held in Vienna on 3 February. The lifting of the arms embargo was also among the issues discussed during the eighth EU-China summit that took place in Beijing on 5 September last.

The Government continues to examine this issue with its EU partners, in the context of its overall relationship with China, its ongoing commitment to human rights and the broader regional and international context. EU Ministers will resume consideration of a decision on lifting the embargo once work on revising the code of conduct has been completed. A decision to lift the embargo will require the unanimous approval of member states.