Balkan States Mull Halting Arms Sales to Saudis

Both Croatia and Montenegro have said they are discussing the possibility of halting arms exports to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but neither has made a decision yet.

Other countries in the region have not expressed any official position since German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the weekend that there should be no arms exports to Saudi Arabia while questions remain about the death of Khashoggi.

Prior to Merkel's remarks, other leading German politicians called for a stop to arms exports to Saudi Arabia following Riyadh's admission that the journalist was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The Croatian Foreign Ministry told BIRN that Zagreb is discussing that issue with its partners in the European Union.

The ministry cited a statement by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on October 20 saying that the EU confirms its commitment to media freedom and the protection of journalists around the world.

Mogherini also urged a thorough, credible and transparent investigation to determine all the circumstances surrounding the death of Khashoggi and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

In Montenegro, the government said it will also carefully consider suggestions from EU countries on what steps to take.

The Foreign Ministry in Podgorica told BIRN that in 2018, Montenegro did not export any arms to Saudi Arabia.

"The Foreign Ministry will be very responsive in the coming period to all obligations arising from international conventions, and respect the sanctions regime established within the United Nations and at the level of the European Union," it said.

It also said that when making decisions on arms sales, the Montenegrin government...