Brussels, 11 February 2003
6159/03 (Presse 39)
DECISION TAKEN BY WRITTEN PROCEDURE
MODIFIED REGIME FOR TRADE IN ROUGH DIAMONDS
The Council adopted today by written procedure a Council Regulation aimed at ensuring, as far as the Community is concerned, that all members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that fulfil the requirements of the “Kimberley Process” certification scheme for international trade in rough
diamonds may participate in the scheme.
The Kimberley Process certification scheme is aimed at breaking the link between the diamond trade and the financing of armed conflicts. The result of efforts by the international community to control more effectively the trade in rough diamonds, the Kimberley Process is a dialogue launched
at the initiative of producer and trading countries, in particular African producing countries, as well as the diamond industry itself and representatives of civil society.
In December, the Council adopted a Regulation (no. 2368/2002) implementing the scheme by setting up a system of certification and import and export controls for rough diamonds in the Community. The Regulation adopted today amends Regulation 2368/2002, in particular as concerns the definition of eligible participants, so as to enable WTO members fulfilling the requirements of the Kimberley Process to participate.
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