Image: official Facebook page of Alexander De Croo
Belgium’s Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, has reiterated his strong position on Russian diamonds.
Belgium’s Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, has reiterated his strong position on Russian diamonds, saying that he opposes an EU ban on Russian diamonds – and that the boycott should instead encompass all Western markets.
De Croo was speaking as the 27 EU members prepared to implement a 10th round of sanctions. The only effective way to stem the ongoing flow of Alrosa’s diamonds, he said, is a ban signed by all Western nations backed by a watertight traceability system.
In a statement to Politico, De Croo said: “Russian diamonds are blood diamonds. The revenue for Russia from diamonds can only stop if the access of Russian diamonds to Western markets is no longer possible. On forging that solid front, Belgium is working with its partners.”
According to the report, Belgium’s imports of Russian gem quality diamonds “have fallen by an estimated 80% per cent, largely because of unofficial boycotts by individual jewelers.”
