SPAIN SUPPORTS EU CONSENSUS ON SA/LW NEGOTIATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002113 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE ALSO FOR PM/WRA (S. PICO) E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/2025 TAGS: PREL SP PREM SUBJECT: SPAIN SUPPORTS EU CONSENSUS ON SA/LW NEGOTIATIONS ON MARKING AND TRACING REF: STATE 99866 Classified By: Ricardo Zuniga, Political Officer. Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D) (C) POLOFF discussed June 3 reftel demarche regarding the upcoming UN negotiations on marking and tracing of small arm/light weapons (SA/LW) with Luis Gomez, the Spanish Foreign Ministry's chief of staff to the deputy director of International Disarmament Affairs. Gomez said it was unlikely that EU members would show flexibility on negotiations to include ammunition and the marking and tracing of SA/LW in a legally binding agreement. He said there were already numerous political instruments on SA/LW and adding an additional non-binding agreement for greater cooperation on stockpile management or reduction would not strengthen existing Firearms Protocol or OAS conventions on SA/LW. Gomez stated Spain supports the common EU position that marking is an effective means to allow member states to identify and trace illicitly trafficked and light weapons. MANZANARES