We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: UKR 1YR: EU RUSSIA DIAMONDS
HEADLINE: European Union Weighs Sanctions Against Russian Diamond Industry
TEASER: Businesses in the diamond-trading hub of Antwerp, Belgium, worry penalties could result in job losses
PUBLISHED: 2/21/2023 at 8:05am
BYLINE: Lisa Bryant
DATELINE: Antwerp, Belgium
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA ORIGINAL, AFP
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:41
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
[[The European Union is marking the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with more sanctions against Moscow. Previous sanctions have targeted commodities like oil, gas, coal, steel, cigarettes, vodka and gold. But one key Russian export is expected to be off the EU’s list once again: diamonds. For VOA, Lisa Bryant went to the world’s diamond trading capital of Antwerp, Belgium, to find out why.]]
((NARRATOR))
This historic city seems far away from the battlefields in Ukraine.
But it's linked to the conflict through Russian diamonds.
Nearly all rough diamonds imported into the European Union arrive here. A quarter or more usually come from Russia.
Ukraine has long pushed for sanctioning Russian diamonds, which it says help finance Moscow’s war machine. In the crosshairs is diamond powerhouse Alrosa — partly owned by the Russian government.
Last year, Washington and London put sanctions on Russian diamond imports. But not the EU.
Some lawmakers are pushing to change that.
((Kathleen Van Brempt, Belgian European Parliament Member — English))
“The Antwerp diamond sector used to be a front-runner in getting rid of blood diamonds … and it’s very important that Antwerp remains a front-runner in getting rid of these diamonds because Russian diamonds are also blood diamonds.”
((NARRATOR))
But Antwerp’s diamond industry argues that sanctioning Russian diamonds could cost thousands of jobs — and it would simply export the problem.
((Tom Neys, Antwerp World Diamond Centre Spokesperson)) ((ENGLISH - VOA Original))
“If they don’t get sold here, they will get sold somewhere else. And they will get sold in trade hubs where you do not have the regulations against money laundering, where you do not have the regulations against the financing of terrorism. Which we have the strictest in the world here in Antwerp.”
((NARRATOR))
Antwerp’s mayor also opposes banning Russian diamonds imports. His office did not respond to VOA interview requests.
But there’s one area where politicians and Antwerp’s industry appear to agree: establishing an international system to trace and track Russian diamonds across borders. Reports say the EU and other industrial countries are discussing how that could work.
This research group believes it’s doable — but there are caveats.
((Filip Reyniers, International Peace Information Service Director)) ((ENGLISH — VOA ORIGINAL))
“We think it’s possible, but it will require a lot of coordination and a lot of technical thinking. And the question is: Who would be on board? How inclusive will it be? Because there’s a big risk, of course, that big diamond players would not want to be part of that.”
Van Brempt’s office has been tracking Russian diamond exports — and the ways Moscow appears to be circumventing US sanctions and those of other nations.
But the lawmaker still believes EU sanctions are important — along with a foolproof tracking system …
… to keep Antwerp’s reputation as an ethical diamond center intact. ((Lisa Bryant for VOA News, Antwerp, Belgium))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Antwerp, Belgium
BylineLisa Bryant
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
