U.S., EU discuss export controls WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- The United States and the European Union held talks in Belgium this week on strengthening export controls to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The International Export Control Cooperation and Outreach Dialogue involved not only government representatives from 34 countries but officials from non-governmental organizations and exporters as well. "The dialogue highlighted the continuing cooperation between the European Union and the United States in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," the U.S. State Department said. Through the EU Outreach program on dual-use items and the EXBS Program, the EU and the United States are assisting more than 60 countries around the world to bring their national strategic trade management systems in line with international standards. EXBS is an acronym for Export Control and Related Border Security Program, a State Department initiative which, with the UE's Export Control in Dual Use Goods program, led to the three-day dialogue. "During the dialogue, experts shared best practices and expertise in managing trade in strategic goods," the State Department said. The discussions focused on meeting emerging challenges in preventing unauthorized transfer of expertise, materials, and technology that contribute to the development of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.