European Commission Statement - The role of diamonds in fuelling conflict

Mr. President,

The linkage between the illicit trade in rough diamonds and the fuelling of armed conflicts that affect international peace and security has been well known for some years now. At various occasions the General Assembly has expressed its concern over this issue. In a number of resolutions the Security Council has taken steps to address this sad fact, which desolates several countries, but which is a matter pertaining to the responsibility of the international community as a whole, especially those countries trading in diamonds.

We therefore welcome that several diamond trading countries gathered in the Kimberley Process to take up their responsibility as UN member states and consider how they could complement Security Council resolutions with instruments to support their implementation.

A number of EU-Member States supported the Process from the start and contributed their best efforts to its initial deliberations. The EU as a whole jointly expressed strong support for its endeavours. As soon as consensus emerged on the project of a certification scheme for international trade in rough diamonds, the EU member states mandated the Commission to negotiate such agreement on behalf of the European Community. This was less than two years ago.

Today The EU is pleased to see the Kimberley Process presenting - the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) - to the United Nations as the result of these negotiations.

The EU believes that this certification scheme will stem the flow of conflict diamonds to a great extent. As such it can be an instrument at the disposal of the United Nations both ensuring - whenever necessary - the implementation of Security Council resolutions as well as making a contribution to conflict prevention.

The E.U. hopes that the legitimate diamond industry, upon which many countries are dependent for their economic and social development will also be protected as a consequence.

This is why the EU welcomes and supports this draft resolution.

Mr. President,

A Chain is as strong as its weakest link. I would therefore like to stress that in order for the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to fulfil its promises its complete and effective implementation is necessary by all subscribing to it. We welcome its implementation and strongly encourage participants to further resolve outstanding issues. In this regard, we support the ongoing process to refine and implement the regime, adopted at the Interlaeken Conference.

In this regard, I can bring to your attention that the European Community is a participant in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and has itself been applying the Scheme in full since February 2003, on the basis of an EC Regulation applicable in all Member States.

The EU hopes that further progress can be made, at the upcoming Plenary Meeting of the Kimberley Process and beyond, towards the goal of making the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme as effective as possible. In this respect the EU believes that a regular review of its implementation by participants can greatly contribute to the Certification Scheme's effectiveness and credibility, on which consumer trust and economic perspectives of diamond mining, trading and processing countries are greatly dependent.

We are confident that strong support of the General Assembly for the Scheme - as expressed in this draft resolution will help maintain the momentum to that end.

Thank you.

| Arriba |

• Description of the European Commission Delegation in New York (1/4/2005)
• European Commission Statement - The role of diamonds in fuelling conflict (15/12/2004)
• European Commission Statement - The role of diamonds in fuelling conflict (14/4/2004)
• EU welcomes WTO green light to block blood diamonds  (15/5/2003)