Dutch Government Lifts Arms Export Restrictions to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE

The Dutch caretaker government has lifted restrictions on arms deliveries to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in a move to join an arms treaty with France, Germany, and Spain. The restrictions had been imposed based on a policy stating that export permits for arms to the three countries were denied unless it was "clearly demonstrated" that they would not be used in the conflicts in northern Syria and Yemen. The Dutch government stated in a letter to Parliament a few days ago that it needed to abolish this policy as it seeks to join a treaty with France, Germany, and Spain that regulates arms exports and adheres to the standards set by the European Union and the United Nations. The government added in its letter that such a policy is not applied in any of the potential treaty countries, as their governments share confidence in their export control measures.