The statement of DSIA regarding information of the Czech media about conditions of arms´ export to Azerbaijan

2.10.2017
Kristýna Helm

The statement of DSIA regarding information of the Czech media about conditions of arms´ export to Azerbaijan

Due to publicity around rules of export of military material to Azerbaijan the Defence and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic (DSIA) draws the attention to frequent mistake of Czech media, which erroneously inform that Azerbaijan is the country ´under embargo´. In reality there is no binding international embargo on the export of arms to Azerbaijan. There is only recommendation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) from 1992 stating that weapons and ammunition should not be exported to forces participating in fighting in the region of Nagorno Karabakh. This 25 years old recommendation was based on regional conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the beginning of 90ties of the last century. The similar nonbinding recommendation of the United Nations accepted in 1992 is considered no longer valid since 2002.

The USA abolished arms embargo on Azerbaijan already in 2001. Regarding regulation on the part of the European Union and her bodies, in relation to Azerbaijan there are no provisions or recommendations admitted.

The biggest arms´ exporter to Azerbaijan as well as to neighbouring Armenia is the Russian Federation, member of the OSCE. Alongside it Azerbaijan procured military material from lot of suppliers from the countries of NATO or even EU. The Army of Azerbaijan is provided with weapons and vehicles coming originally from Germany, Poland, Turkey or Great Britain.

Regarding Czech defense industry, the Defence and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic registers interest of many of the Czech manufacturers in export to Azerbaijan. These manufacturers also actively introduce themselves at market fairs and exhibitions of security technologies which take place in Azerbaijan. Top political representatives of the Czech Republic maintain lively contacts with their Azeri counterparts with aim to enhance mutual trade. The issuance of the license for export of military material to Azerbaijan therefore fully depends on free discretion of the licensing bodies of the Czech Republic.

The Defence and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic calls attention also to the fact that non-export of military material from the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan satisfies mainly the Russian Federation and its defence industry. Therefore, the negative publicity regarding the export of weapons of Czechoslovak origin commenced in Russian media or media close to official policies of the Russian Federation.

Finally, we add that Azerbaijan is close security ally of the NATO that not only participates in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program also actively contributes to fight against terrorism and allied operations.

 

Sources:

https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/eu_arms_embargoes/azerbaijan

https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/un_arms_embargoes/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-non-mandatory/non-mandatory-un-arms-embargo-on-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan

https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes

http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49111.htm

http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_50349.htm