Germany′s Angela Merkel makes arms export pact with France

Germany is prepared to compromise its arms export guidelines to facilitate joint defense projects with France, according to an internal government document. France wants to continue selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Germany is working to loosen its arms export control rules to make it easier to continue with joint weapons projects with France, according to an internal strategy paper obtained by Der Spiegel magazine.

The four-point paper, entitled “German-French industry cooperation in the defense area — common understanding and principles about sales,” said that “both states will develop a common approach to arms exports with joint projects.” It also said: “The parties will not obstruct a transfer or an export to third countries.”

Der Spiegel described the paper as a “secret” adjunct to the Aachen friendship treaty, signed in January, which pledged cooperation on a host of future projects.