Italian government lifts restrictions on Saudi weapons exports

The Italian government has lifted a 2019 embargo on exporting military weapons to Saudi Arabia.

The decision, taken on Wednesday (31 May) was announced in a communique at the end of a Council of Ministers meeting presided over by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and was made "in accordance with the foreign and defense policy of Italy".

Restrictions on the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia were put in place in 2019 to prevent Italian-made weaponry being used in the conflict in Yemen.

The Italian government added: "Today there is no more reason to keep those restrictions standing any longer. The regional context in Yemen has changed, and since April 2022, partly thanks to the truce, military activities have been sensibly circumscribed."

Italy now believes that the reduction in military operations "significantly also mitigates the risk of misuse of bombs and missiles, particularly against civilian targets."

Rome also acknowledged that Saudi Arabia "has pursued intensive diplomatic activity in support of UN mediation and was also active in a decisive manner on the economic and humanitarian assistance front."

source: commonspace.eu with Arab News
photo: Italian Council of Ministers
 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
USAID and Russian House shut down by Azerbaijan on the same day

USAID and Russian House shut down by Azerbaijan on the same day

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has declared the activities of both the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Russian House illegal in the country giving equal treatment to both the U.S. and Russia in relation to the operations of significant soft power organisations for both countries. USAID’s closure comes after comments by U.S. President Donald Trump who told reporters that USAID is “run by a bunch of radical lunatics”and that his administration is “dealing with the situation.” Speculation is growing in Washington about the possibility of integrating USAID into the U.S. State Department’s structure. On the other hand by expelling Russian House, Azerbaijan appears to be pressuring Russia into admitting responsibility for the downing of an AZAL passenger plane.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
USAID and Russian House shut down by Azerbaijan on the same day

USAID and Russian House shut down by Azerbaijan on the same day

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has declared the activities of both the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Russian House illegal in the country giving equal treatment to both the U.S. and Russia in relation to the operations of significant soft power organisations for both countries. USAID’s closure comes after comments by U.S. President Donald Trump who told reporters that USAID is “run by a bunch of radical lunatics”and that his administration is “dealing with the situation.” Speculation is growing in Washington about the possibility of integrating USAID into the U.S. State Department’s structure. On the other hand by expelling Russian House, Azerbaijan appears to be pressuring Russia into admitting responsibility for the downing of an AZAL passenger plane.