Atlantic Council

From Itar-Tass: Latvia and Lithuania demand stricter arms trade rules in the European Union and NATO in order to prevent the selling of Mistral helicopter ships to Russia.

They made a statement to that effect at the Thursday meeting of EU defense ministers in Palma de Majorca.

“The European Union and NATO should sell armaments and military hardware to countries, which do not pose the risk of regional tensions,” Latvian Defense Minister Imants Liegis said. “Before concluding strategic deals, EU member countries should hold internal consultations on items that may call into question the security of other members,” he noted.

“The European Union and NATO need clearer rules of arms exports,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Rasa Jukneviciene said. She noted that some East European countries, among them Poland, shared the opinion.  (photo: Lithuanian Ministry of Defense)