British and Belgian ministers agree on deal to re-allow Zimbabwe diamonds into EU

The foreign ministers of Britain and Belgium have reached an agreement that that will re-allow Zimbabwe diamonds from Marange into the European market, the EU Observer reported, citing sources.

The deal on diamonds from the Marange deposits was attained following discussions between the foreign ministers of Britain and Belgium –William Hague and Didier Reynders, respectively.

The ban on diamonds from Marange will be lifted, but Zimbabwe will be warned that it can be reinstated if President Robert Mugabe tries to rig presidential elections due to take place in July, the report added.

Mugabe and 10 Zimbabwe firms remain on a European blacklist for diamonds, the EU Observer report says, however the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corp., one of the diamond miners in Marange, will be taken off the blacklist.