Among the aspects included in the thirteenth annual report presented according to the common position on common rules for control of exports of military technology and equipment, the Council highlights as one key priority for the European Union and Member States to achieve a robust and legally binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The report describes the main activities undertaken in this regard during 2010 and 2011.

According to the report presented by the Council on the implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP during 2010 and the end of 2011, the European Union and its Member States have continued to support the ongoing development of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) led by the United Nations. Within the activities to support the preparation of the United Nations Conference on the ATT, the European Union and its Member States have held regular meetings in order to share views and coordinate positions.

In its report, the Council stresses that a strong and legally binding Arms trade Treaty, would be a substantial contribution to the regulation of the international trade in arms at the international level, making it more transparent and accountable by introducing high international standards. Besides, it recalls that since 2006, the relevant UN General Assembly Resolutions have been supported by all EU Member States.

In addition to the progress made in the negotiations the Arms Trade Treaty, the report also gives an overview of the developments achieves in the field of the application of the Common Position at national level, as well as on the updating of the Common Military List of the Union European, aspects related to arms brokering, intra-EU arms transfers, or the dialogue with the Parliament an d different NGOs.

Among the priorities identified for future work, the report stresses that Member States which have not yet adopted the appropriate national measures in regard to common provisions on arms brokering and the control of exports of military technology, should do at the earliest. It also refers to the need to continue to maintain the necessary exchange of information in relation to arms exports to certain destinations, as well as to develop awareness actions and to renew the dialogue between institutions and with industry.