RAPAPORT… As expected, the European Union lifted its embargo on rough from Liberia this day. The move was retroactive April 27 at which time the United Nations had removed diamond sanctions against the west Africa nation.
Liberia was accepted as a member state to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in May following the group’s inspection of safeguards in place. Europe currently holds the chair of the Kimberley Process.
The United States added Liberia to its list of diamond trading partners in June as well.