ZAGREB, May 4 (Hina) - Croatia's assistant foreign minister is heading a Croatian delegation attending the first conference of signatory-countries to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer
of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. The conference is taking place in Maput, capital of Mozambique, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. In his address, Croatia's Vladimir Drobnjak spoke about Croatia's views of the mines and mine-clearing problem. Drobnjak said the conference was not only an opportunity to mark the convention's coming into force, but also spoke about the importance being given to the process begun with the convention signing in Ottawa. Croatia was among the countries which from the start actively supported the idea of a full prohibition of anti-personnel mines and agreed to the initiative, Drobnjak said. He
ZAGREB, May 4 (Hina) - Croatia's assistant foreign minister is
heading a Croatian delegation attending the first conference of
signatory-countries to the Convention on the Prohibition of the
Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines
and on Their Destruction.
The conference is taking place in Maput, capital of Mozambique, the
Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
In his address, Croatia's Vladimir Drobnjak spoke about Croatia's
views of the mines and mine-clearing problem.
Drobnjak said the conference was not only an opportunity to mark the
convention's coming into force, but also spoke about the importance
being given to the process begun with the convention signing in
Ottawa.
Croatia was among the countries which from the start actively
supported the idea of a full prohibition of anti-personnel mines
and agreed to the initiative, Drobnjak said.
He recalled that even in world terms, Croatia's mines problem was a
great one, considering that more than a million mines and explosive
devices are planted on its territory, formerly Serb-occupied areas
in particular.
Croatia's mine-clearing process is proceeding positively and is
implemented in keeping with international standards, Drobnjak
said, and reminded Croatia recently signed a memorandum on
understanding with the Western European Union, under which an
advisory mine-clearing mission was established.
Drobnjak also spoke about the costs of mine-clearing, which in
Croatia reached some US$120 million. Croatia is paying for at least
90 percent of the cost and will require at least another ten years to
end the mine-clearing process, he added.
Since 1995, 560 were injured and 120 were killed in mine
explosions.
Drobnjak also announced an upcoming regional conference, which
will take place in Zagreb between June 27 and 29. It will tackle
current international and regional progress in mine-clearing and
evaluate mine-clearing projects, assistance offering and the
rehabilitation of mines victims.
(hina) ha