Statement by the Spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton on the agreement reached in Kimberley Process regarding Marange diamonds
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium,
November 1, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission made today the following statement:
“I welcome the agreement reached during the Kimberley Process Plenary meeting in Kinshasa as a way forward for the KP in relation to Marange diamonds from Zimbabwe.
The EU recalls that at the Intersessional meeting of the KP in Kinshasa in June 2011, no consensus could be reached on the exports of diamonds from Marange, which was necessary for these diamonds to be traded under the KP Certification Scheme.
Following the June meeting, the EU launched an initiative which was aimed at finding consensus among all KP Members including Zimbabwe and preserve the credibility and integrity of the process, building on the decision taken at Swakopmund.
After months of intensive negotiations with all parties, an agreement has now been reached on the basis of this initiative, which protects the integrity of the KP, respects the core concerns of Zimbabwe and the EU, recognises the concerns of Civil Society and meets the expectations of diamond producing and importing countries. “
SOURCE
European Union
