3/12/2004
European Commission Pledges EUR140 Million To Help Eliminate Land Mines

The European Commission this week adopted a €140 million strategy to fight anti-personnel landmines worldwide. Running for the next two years the strategy aims to reduce the threat from anti-personnel landmines, to alleviate mine victim suffering and aid socio-economic reintegration; and to enhance local and regional mine action capacity. The move coincides with the First Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty in Nairobi (29 November – 3 December), where European External Relations Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will address the participants by video. As many victims of landmines are permanently disabled, it is also fitting that the International Day of Disabled Persons - falling on 3 December - coincides with the action.

“The First Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty is a time to take stock of the progress that has been made on this devastating issue. As we publish our strategy for the next two years, I am mindful of the enormous task ahead to eliminate the threat of anti-personnel land mines, but am confident that with further time and political commitment this is not a mission impossible, ” the Commissioner said.

The Commission strategy will govern the programming of EC funds over the period 2005-2007 on landmine action. The main objective of the strategy is to assist countries that suffer from the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance and to restore the conditions necessary for the security of their populations and their economic and social development. It also aims to reduce the current risk of further victims as far as possible. This will be a significant step towards attaining the target of no new landmine victims, which underpins the Commission’s strategy.

To achieve this goal, the Commission offers increased assistance to states party to the Mine Ban Treaty, rewarding the commitment to destroying stockpiles and clearing landmines, and giving a major incentive to others to accede. Populations of non-party states are protected through massive operations of mine ban education, fencing and marking, and victim assistance.

In the five years since the Mine Ban Treaty came into force (1999), the European Union has devoted more than €700 million to eliminating the threat of anti-personnel landmines. The Commission has welcomed ratification of the treaty by Ethiopia on the first day of the Nairobi conference, bringing the total number of signatory states to 144. Some major states, including the United States, Russia and China have not yet signed the treaty.