European arms exports and sustainable development: inconsistencies and ambiguities in practice [1]

The link between underdevelopment and insecurity is undeniable, these two elements mutually reinforcing each other. This vicious circle can also be fueled by international arms transfers, where economic and geo-strategic considerations too often prevail at the expense of considerations on sustainable development. Yet, the criterion 8 of the EU Common Position on Arms Exports focuses on sustainable development. However, differences of interpretation of this criterion between the 27 did not lead to a harmonization in practice. Significant inconsistencies in the implementation of criterion 8 are frequently observed.