EU-lidstaten steggelen over hervatten wapenhandel met China (en) - Hoofdinhoud

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - European countries have again failed to agree on lifting the arms embargo against China, and will return to the subject again in April.

According to diplomatic sources, the French government, which has been the strongest backer of lifting the embargo, once again raised the issue at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels today (26 March).

Despite an agreement to refer the issue to low-level working groups to examine the Union's options, the matter is once again back on the table.

There has been fierce opposition from some member states who say that the country's human rights record has improved little since the ban was put in place in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989.

However, diplomats are working hard behind the scenes to reach an agreement.

"We are trying to reach a consensus", the Irish Foreign Minister and current head of the EU's council, Brian Cowen, told the EUobserver.

Diplomats say a breakthrough may see the lifting of the embargo coupled with a tightening of the EU's Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

Under a compromise, the Code of Conduct - which requires EU members to report when they reject export licence applications for military equipment - may have to also report when they grant a licence.

But critics argue that as the decision to export is left up to the discretion of member states, the agreement is not watertight.

The US has been critical of moves towards lifting the embargo on China, fearing more arms in the region may topple the delicate balance of power which keeps Taiwan and China at relative peace.

According to diplomats, foreign Ministers will try to reach an agreement at their meeting on 26 April in Luxembourg.