Dutch Ahead of the Curve on Saudi Arms Exports After EU Votes for Ban

Data on the Dutch arms exports to the Saudi monarchy in 2015 has not been published yet, but in 2012, 2013 and 2014 the Netherlands sold Saudis military equipment worth 6.6 million euros, 1.8 million euros and 4.7 million euros respectively, according to the Dutch Foreign Ministry.

MOSCOW (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov – The Dutch policy on arms exports to Saudi Arabia have been very strict for a long time, the Dutch Foreign Ministry assured Sputnik on Friday.

This comes after the European Parliament voted on Thursday in favor of a resolution that calls for an EU-wide arms embargo against Saudi Arabia. The reason for it is the Saudi military campaign against Houthi opposition forces in Yemen and allegations of civilian casualties.

"Dutch export policy of military equipment towards Saudi Arabia has been very strict for many years already," the ministry’s press officer, Ilona de Ruyter, underscored.

Data on the Dutch arms exports to the Saudi monarchy in 2015 has not been published yet, but in 2012, 2013 and 2014 the Netherlands sold Saudis military equipment worth 6.6 million euros, 1.8 million euros and 4.7 million euros respectively, the spokeswoman said.

Every EU member state can decide for itself whether to uphold the parliament’s call for a complete interruption of arms trade with Saudi Arabia. A mandatory curb on EU arms flows to the kingdom would require unanimity within the EU Council, de Ruyter noted.

The Netherlands has been cited by Control Arms, a coalition of arms watchdogs, as one of Saudi Arabia’s arms sellers. Other countries on the list are France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.