Council Regulation (EC) No 2290/2002 of 19 December 2002 concerning the importation into the Community of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone

Council Regulation (EC) No 2290/2002
of 19 December 2002
concerning the importation into the Community of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 301 thereof,
Having regard to Common Position 2002/22/CFSP of 11 January 2002(1) concerning a prohibition on imports of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas:
(1) In its Resolution 1446 (2002) of 4 December 2002, the United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, decided to extend the prohibition, laid down in its Resolution 1306 (2000) of 5 July 2000, of all imports of rough diamonds originating in, or coming from, Sierra Leone, unless they are covered by the system of certificates of origin approved by the competent authorities of the United Nations.
(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 303/2002 of 18 February 2002 concerning the importation into the Community of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone(2) expired on 5 December 2002 and therefore the prohibition contained therein should be extended.
(3) These measures fall under the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, notably with a view to avoiding distortion of competition, Community legislation is necessary to implement the relevant decisions of the Security Council as far as the territory of the Community is concerned, such territory being deemed to encompass, for the purposes of this Regulation, the territories of the Member States to which the Treaty is applicable, under the conditions laid down in that Treaty.
(4) The Security Council has also called upon the United Nations Member States and international and regional organisations to apply these measures notwithstanding the existence of any rights or obligations conferred or imposed by any international agreement signed, any contract entered into or any licence or permit granted before the adoption of the aforementioned Resolution.
(5) Breaches of this Regulation should be penalised and Member States should impose appropriate penalties to that effect.
(6) To facilitate matters, the Commission should be empowered to supplement and/or amend the Annexes to this Regulation on the basis of pertinent notifications from the Committee set up by Security Council Resolution 1132 (1997).
(7) There is a need for the Member States and the Commission to inform each other of the measures taken under this Regulation and any other relevant information at their disposal in connection with this Regulation,