32002E0022

Council Common Position

of 11 January 2002

concerning a prohibition on imports of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone

(2002/22/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 15 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 5 July 2000 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1306(2000) prohibiting the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone for an initial period of 18 months, while exempting imports of rough diamonds whose origin is certified by the Government of Sierra Leone.

(2) On 2 July 2000 the Council adopted Common Position 2000/455/CFSP(1) so as to implement Resolution 1306(2000). That Common Position expired on 5 January 2002.

(3) On 19 December 2001 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1385(2001) whereby the measures imposed by Resolution 1306(2000) are to remain in force until 5 December 2002. A new Common Position must therefore be adopted.

(4) Action by the Community is needed in order to implement the required measures,

HAS ADOPTED THIS COMMON POSITION:

Article 1

The direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to the Community shall be prohibited under the conditions set out in UNSCR 1306(2000) and 1385(2001).

Article 2

Rough diamonds controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through the Certificate of Origin regime consistent with paragraph 5 of Resolution 1306(2000) shall continue to be exempt from the measure referred to in Article 1.

Article 3

This Common Position shall be reviewed as the need arises.

Article 4

This Common Position shall take effect on the date of its adoption.

It shall be applicable from 5 January 2002.

It shall expire on 5 December 2002.

Article 5

This Common Position shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 11 January 2002.

For the Council

The President

J. Piqué I Camps

(1) OJ L 183, 22.7.2000, p. 2.