|
LUXEMBOURG, April 15 (Xinhuanet) -- European Union
(EU) experts have concluded the revision of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms
Exports, Nicolas Kerleroux, spokesman for the European Council's external
relations and defense policy, said on Friday.
"Two boxes of the Code of Conduct have been
finalized, and it has yet to be presented to EU ambassadors to review, and then
to foreign ministers," said Kerleroux in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.
The EU foreign ministers held an informal meeting on
Friday in Luxembourg. One major issue on the agenda was the EU-Chinese
relations.
The revised EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports is an
instrument the EU intends to put in place if it lifts the arms embargo.
"Compared with the arms embargo, the code of conduct
is more comprehensive and stricter," said Kerleroux.
The spokesman said although the EU political will on
the lifting remains, there is no timetable on the issue now.
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, whose
country is holding the EU rotating presidency, said his country hoped all the EU
members will reach a consensus on lifting the embargo by the end of June.
The EU passed a resolution in the summit last
December, requesting Luxembourg to make preparations for the lifting decision
during its presidency in the first half of this year. Enditem |