18/11/2024 (Agence Europe) –
At the plenary session of the Kimberley Process, which took place in Dubai from 12 to 15 November, its members once again failed to address the implications of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine for the diamond sector, much to the EU’s regret. The European External Action Service spokesman Peter Stano said that this lack of a position had “a detrimental impact on the credibility of the process”. He deplored the “unfounded allegations” made by Kimberley Process Chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who spent several minutes criticising the EU’s decision to maintain controls on Botswana’s diamond exports. In his view, this measure runs counter to national sovereignty. In the EU’s view, however, Ahmed Bin Sulayem’s comments run counter to the Kimberley Process Chair’s role as facilitator and of neutrality. (LM)
