Publication

This paper looks at the impact of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports over its first 10 years. It investigates the role of middle-ranking arms exporters in the evolution of the code by looking at the Czech Republic, Spain and the Netherlands. Then it analyzes the consequent effect of the code on these states’ decisions to issue or deny arms export licenses. The author concludes that the code is a dynamic agreement in which smaller member states have had a strong hand in pushing developments forward. He also presents recommendations for how it could be strengthened and made to function more effectively.