I have had no specific discussions with EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner regarding the outcome of her visit, but we have remained in close contact with the European Commission on a number of issues relating to her visit, such as the temporary international mechanism.
Security of the Gulf is vital to our interests. We support a number of initiatives in the region, such as the International Institute of Strategic Studies' regional “Gulf Dialogue”. Cabinet level delegations have attended the two conferences in Bahrain in 2004 and 2005. If any initiative is to be successful, leadership must come from the region.
In common with all of our diplomatic posts, our Embassy in Tel Aviv monitors local developments closely and notes any information which comes to light that military equipment supplied by the UK has been used in a manner inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria. The Government will take this into consideration when assessing any future export licence applications. The Government may also revoke relevant licence(s) and ask the authorities in the country concerned to investigate.
All export licence applications from the UK are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Export Licensing Criteria, taking full account of the prevailing circumstances at the time of application.