1. Notes that, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the EU Member States, taken as a whole, outrank the US and Russia as the world’s largest arms exporter, and that an ever-increasing proportion of arms exports - 61 % in 2011 - is being delivered to countries outside the EU;

1. Notes that, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the EU Member States, taken as a whole, outrank the US and Russia as the world’s largest arms exporter, and that an ever-increasing proportion of arms exports – 61 % in 2011 – is being delivered to countries outside the EU;

32. Draws attention to problems linked to the legal uncertainty of commercial exchanges from and to non-EU countries, and to the issue of which jurisdiction is competent for the settlement of a given dispute; notes that while principles of private international law do exist, their implementation raises a number of problems primarily affecting consumers and small businesses, who often lack knowledge of their own rights; underlines, besides, the new legal challenges arising from globalisation and the development of Internet transactions; emphasises the need for a coherent approach to be adopted on an international level to avoid consume ...[+++]rs and small businesses being punished for this situation;

7. In accordance with point (a) of Article 42(1) of Directive 2011/61/EU, for non-EU AIFMs, any reference to the competent authorities of the home Member State shall mean the competent authority of the Member State of reference.

Member States should foster open dialogue and communication with countries outside the Union in order to be able to prosecute perpetrators, under the relevant national legislation, who travel outside the Union borders for the purposes of child sex tourism.

It is a fundamental right for all EU citizens in countries outside the Union where their own country has no representation (embassy or consulate).