92001E2483

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2483/01

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Council

(5 September 2001)

Subject: Trade in conflict diamonds

International ability to curb the trade in conflict diamonds is closely linked to the success of the Kimberley Process. At present this process is moving forward slowly, partly because the European Union does not have a common position. How soon does the Council intend to give the Commission a mandate for the Kimberley Process negotiations?

Furthermore, border checks on the import of diamonds, preventing conflict diamonds being imported into the EU, require specialist knowledge on the part of the customs services. Does the Council consider that it would be useful to limit the points through which diamonds can be imported to one per Member State so as to concentrate the expertise in a restricted number of places?

Reply

(12 February 2002)

The Council follows with great interest the work carried out in the framework of the Kimberley process. It will consider any draft recommendation for a mandate submitted by the Commission.