G7 leaders condemn N. Korea, ban Russian diamonds, and support two-state solution for Palestine

G7 정상 “北군사위성 발사 규탄 내달부터 러 다이아 수입 규제“ The group of seven major economies held a virtual meeting, and issued a statement on a range of global issues. Among them they condemned North Korea’s recent launch of a spy satellite and agreed on a new import ban for Russian diamonds. Lee Eun-jin reports. The leaders of the Group of Seven countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and Japan held a virtual meeting on Wednesday to address some pressing international issues. The leaders strongly condemned North Korea’s November 21st spy satellite launch, as well as suspected arms transfers to Russia, which directly contravene UN Security Council resolutions banning the North from conducting any launch using ballistic missile technology and engaging in any arms trade. The G7 leaders also reiterated their call for the “complete, verifiable and irreversible“ dismantlement of all of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. During their virtual talks, the leaders were also joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and in a show of solidarity, agreed to a new import ban on Russian diamonds. According to the statement, under the new measures, G7 leaders will introduce restrictions on non-industrial diamonds from Russia by January 1st, to curtail revenue that Russia can use to fund its war with Ukraine. The move is expected to be followed by another phase of restrictions on the import of Russian diamonds processed in third countries, with March 1st set as a target date for its implementation. The policy includes plans to introduce a “robust traceability-based verification and certification“ mechanism for rough diamonds by September 2024. The G7’s ban on Russian gems, however, does not include diamonds for industrial use, nor the tracing of polished stones. On the Israel-Hamas war, G7 leaders urged for the immediate release of all remaining hostages without preconditions. They added that “more effective action“ is needed to limit the displacement of mass numbers of civilians, also expressing support for further pauses in the fighting to get more aid to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. To end further bloodshed, G7 leaders reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution, that would enable both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting, and secure peace. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News. #G7_leaders #Russian_diamonds #NorthKorea #Russian_gems #import_ban #group_of_seven #spy_satellite #G7정상 #북한 #군사위성 #러시아산_다이아 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook : 📣 Twitter : 📣 Homepage : 2023-12-07, 12:00 (KST)