17/3/2006
Commission Adopts €17.5 Million Anti-Landmine Programme

The European Commission has formally adopted its latest Work Programme for antipersonnel landmines, with a budget of € 17.5 million. The general objective is to assist countries suffering the consequences of antipersonnel landmines and to create conditions necessary for development.

The focus countries in 2006 are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Cambodia, Georgia, Yemen, Sudan, DR Congo, Burundi, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: “Landmines are a terrible blight on post conflict communities and an impediment to reconstruction of the country. It is crucial to eliminate this aftermath of war as quickly as possible, so that those affected, particularly the victims, women and children, can move on and begin to build for a safer and more prosperous future.”