The Diplomat in Spain

Government recalls that «the sales of military equipment to all countries are subject to strict conditions».

Luis Ayllón. 14/08/2018

The Spanish government announced yesterday that it will review selling conditions of military equipment to Middle East countries, after the air strikes launched by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, which resulted in numerous civilian victims, including children.

Through a note distributed by the Diplomatic Information Office (OID) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Executive of Pedro Sanchez, tries, without quoting Saudi Arabia at any time, to respond to different groups that demand an end to the sale of Spanish military equipment to that country.

Specifically the note recalls that «the sales of military equipment to all countries in this area, by Spanish companies, are subject to strict conditions, including the guarantee of the Government of destination that they will not be used outside the territory of each country».

Despite this, the note adds that «the Government, in accordance with the commitment of its President, will review these conditions to ensure its effectiveness».

In the text issued, the Executive expresses its support for the position of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Gutiérrez, and shares his concern about the air strikes perpetrated in Sa’ada, Yemen. It adds that the pain of the families of the victims adds to the gigantic humanitarian tragedy suffered by that country and affirms that «the Government urges all the parties in conflict to respect the principles of the humanitarian law, in particular the need to discriminate objectives, act with proportionality and take all the necessary precautions to avoid civil and innocent victims «.

Likewise, it indicates that «beyond the limitation in the use of military means» the Spanish Executive considers that there can only be a political solution to the Yemeni conflict and, to that end, it supports the work of the special envoy of the Secretary General, Martin Griffiths, and urges the parties to attend in good faith the meetings that it has convened in Geneva for next September. The Government shares the appeal made in this regard by the High Representative of the European Union, Federica Mogherini.