EU takes over 2007 Chairmanship of Kimberley Process

The European Commission becomes on 1 January chairman of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to combat conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process is a unique initiative by government authorities, the international diamond industry and civil society to combat 'conflict diamonds' - rough diamonds used to finance warfare - after the experience of devastating conflicts in some diamond-producing countries in Africa. The Commission, supported by Member States, will use its Chairmanship in 2007 to work to ensure effective implementation of controls by all participants and to close down remaining loopholes. As Chair, the Commission intends to promote the active involvement of industry in policing itself. The European Union's system of industry self-regulation has a lot to offer as a model for others. The Commission will also work closely with governments, industry and civil society, all of whom have contributed much to the Kimberley Process' achievements, and will continue Kimberley's close co-operation with the UN on the cases of Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire, which are subject to diamond embargoes.

The Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commented, "The Kimberley process is our best weapon against a trade in diamonds which fuels war and bloodshed. The European Commission is looking forward to chairing the process in 2007, and our aim will be to make the process even more effective in stopping illicit trading in diamonds. We need to dry up this source of income for those who stir up lethal conflicts, and ensure that those who buy diamonds around the world can do so confident that they are not contributing to this terrible trade."

More information on the EU & the Kimberley Process is available at
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/kimb/intro/index.htm

www.kimberleyprocess.com

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• Kimberley Process: 2007 Report by EU Commission on conflict diamonds (26/11/2007)
• Kimberley Process Annual Conference - Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner (5/11/2007)
• Kimberley Process - United to fight blood diamonds (31/10/2007)
• Kimberley Process reviews progress during 2007 (31/10/2007)
• Kimberley Process: Key players meet to strengthen efforts against conflict diamonds (11/6/2007)
• Kimberley Process - United to fight blood diamonds! (11/6/2007)
• Zimbabwe: Kimberley Process review visit to assess implementation of scheme to combat conflict diamonds (31/5/2007)
• Kimberley Process: Liberia enters the diamond trade (4/5/2007)
• European Commission Lauds Liberia's "Remarkable Progress" Towards Preventing Trade in Conflict Diamonds (13/4/2007)
• Kimberley Process: EU Commission welcomes boost to diamond scheme transparency  (2/4/2007)
• Kimberley Process review mission to Ghana  (27/3/2007)
• Kimberley Process: Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner at the pre-screening of "Blood Diamond" (23/1/2007)
• Kimberley Process - Fighting Blood Diamonds! (19/12/2006)
• EU takes over 2007 Chairmanship of Kimberley Process (19/12/2006)
• EU Statement - Role of Diamonds in Fuelling Conflict (4/12/2006)
• EU to chair Kimberley Process to combat conflict diamonds in 2007 (9/11/2006)

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