Common Position concerning Ethiopia and Eritrea

COMMON POSITION of 15 March 1999 defined by the Council on the basis of Article J.2 of the Treaty on European Union, concerning Ethiopia and Eritrea (1999/206/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article J.2 thereof,

Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1227 (1999) of 10 February 1999 strongly urged all States to end immediately all sales of arms and ammunition to Ethiopia and Eritrea;

Whereas the European Union is to continue to appeal to the parties to achieve a peaceful negotiated settlement of their conflict;

Whereas the conflict could again escalate; whereas the European Union therefore considers it appropriate to stop the continuing flow of arms from any source into Ethiopia and Eritrea,

HAS DEFINED THIS COMMON POSITION:

Article 1

An embargo on the export of arms, munitions and military equipment shall be imposed on Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The embargo referred to in the first subparagraph shall cover weapons designed to kill and their ammunition, weapon platforms, non-weapon platforms and ancillary equipment. It shall also cover spare parts, repairs, maintenance and transfer of military technology. Contracts entered into before the date of entry into force of the embargo shall not be affected by this common position.

Article 2

The European Union shall deploy efforts to encourage other countries to adopt the policy of this common position.

Article 3

This common position shall be kept under constant review; it shall expire by 30 September 1999 unless extended by the Council in the framework of a comprehensive reflection on the European Union's relations with Ethiopia and Eritrea, taking into account developments in the peace process.

Article 4

This common position shall take effect on the date of its adoption.

Article 5

This common position shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 15 March 1999.
For the Council
The President
W. MÜLLER

Source: Official Journal L 072 , 18 March 1999 p.1

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