Belgium backs ban on diamonds from Russia on EU, G7 markets - FM

BRUSSELS. Dec 11 (Interfax) - Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib has said she hopes the EU member states will agree on the 12th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on imports of Russian diamonds.

"Belgium supports the strong initiative aimed at working on tracking information that will keep Russia from selling uncut or polished diamonds on the entire European market, as well as on the G7 countries' markets," Lahbib told reporters before the EU Foreign Affairs Council session in Brussels on Monday.

EU support to Ukraine is needed, she said. This week is important to Kiev as the EU summit on December 14-15 will consider the possibility of providing a package of macrofinancial assistance of 50 billion euros, military assistance, and will also discuss the prospect of starting talks on the country's accession to the European Union, Lahbib said.