YEREVAN. – President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Wednesday met—at MERIDIAN Expo Center—with Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Kimberley Process (KP), and representative of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ahmed Bin Sulayem is in capital city Yerevan within the framework of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) 2016 annual congress, which kicked off on the same day.

Sargsyan stated that Ahmed Bin Sulayem’s visit to Armenia will be marked by the strengthening of cooperation along the lines of the KP, and in identifying and implementing of bilateral projects in the diamond and jewelry businesses in the UAE, informed the Press Office of the President.

He also underscored the KP as a vivid example for the consolidation of international efforts to prevent the circulation of “conflict,” or “blood” diamonds.

The President noted that Armenia’s joining the KP in 2003 has enabled the country to become a full participant in the world diamond market, and that it is consistent in the implementation of its commitments to the KP.

The KP chair, for his part, noted that he has come to Armenia also as a representative of the trading community of Dubai, and that he wishes to discuss with the Armenian government the avenues for strengthening the Kimberley Process and the Armenian-Emirati trade and economic ties.