It was October shortly after the German election when the caretaker government almost hurriedly gave the green light to arms exports to Egypt, one of the best clients of the German defense industry, which, however, is on the side of Saudi Arabia in the war in Yemen. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems will deliver 3 frigates to Cairo and Diehl Defense 16 anti-aircraft systems.
In a press conference of the Joint Committee of Churches and Development (GKKE) on the occasion of the publication of a report on German arms exports, Martin Dutzmann, chairman of the Commission, which includes the Catholic and Evangelical Church, stressed that he has no understanding of such exports. and that the framework governing arms sales is not enough: “Unfortunately, the existing rules are not enough, with the result that in fact arms exports are not subject to specific and strict rules.”
A European directive on export control is required
According to figures released by Berlin in early November, exports exceeded 5.8 billion euros last year, with most of the weapons going to countries outside the EU and NATO. This year, in the period January-October, the German authorities gave the green light for exports amounting to almost 3.8 billion euros. Co-chair of the commission Cal Eusten believes that a lot needs to change at EU level: “Anyone who really wants a common defense and foreign policy in the EU should have a restrictive arms export policy and a relevant European directive on export control. ».
The Joint Committee of the Churches considers that responsibility for arms exports to Germany should be transferred from the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only then will economic and political pressure on decisions be lifted. As Martin Dutzmann put it, “arms exports are not just a consumer good, but a deadly tool against human existence.”
DW – Sabine Kinkarts / Stefanos Georgakopoulos
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