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Great Britain updated its embargo recommendations on the supply of arms to Armenia and Azerbaijan

13 January 2023 13:40 (UTC +04:00)

Great Britain updated its embargo recommendations on the supply of arms to Armenia and Azerbaijan, APA reports citing the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and Export Control Joint Unit of the UK.

It is noted that this embargo is still in effect.

It’s reminded that in February 1992, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) requested that all participating states should introduce an embargo on ‘all deliveries of weapons and munitions to forces engaged in combat in the Nagorno-Karabakh area’. On 2 July 2014, the UK refined its interpretation of the arms embargo as covering the export, supply or delivery of all goods and items on the UK military list.

It’s reflected in what cases supplement of equipment on the military list is allowed: “Supplies of military list equipment to other end-users; such as, humanitarian, peacekeeping, research or media organisations, will not be considered subject to the embargo unless there is a clear risk of diversion to the armed forces, police or security forces of either state”.

"This embargo is implemented through the Export Control Order 2008. All export and trade licence applications for Armenia and Azerbaijan as elsewhere will be assessed on a case-by-case basis against the UK Strategic Export Licensing Criteria and we will not issue a licence where to do so would be inconsistent with the Criteria. Additionally, some goods which are not on the UK military list might also need an export licence. These are covered by the military end-use control.

Military items transiting the UK are still regarded as being exported when they leave the country and are therefore subject to control. Article 17 of the Export Control Order 2008 includes a transit and transhipment exception meaning that in many situations a licence is not required. This exception does not apply to goods destined for Armenia or Azerbaijan, meaning that a licence is required to transit goods through the UK or to tranship them in the UK with a view to re-exportation to Armenia or Azerbaijan,” reads the information," reads the information.