One millionth landmine destroyed in Serbia today
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The one millionth landmine was destroyed today as part of an ongoing NATO Trust Fund project in Serbia. The ceremony to mark this important event was organized at the Technical Repair Bureau in Kragujevac.
Serbia was represented by Mr. Zvonko Obradovic, State Secretary, Serbian Ministry of Defence. Representatives from NATO, the lead nations and donor nations also attended.
Serbia and Montenegro acceded to the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty in September 2003. The NATO Trust Fund was established in October 2004 to support implementation of the Ottawa Treaty obligations to destroy the declared stockpile of 1,3 million landmines. Approximately 40,000 of these mines are stored in Montenegro. When completed, this project will rid South East Europe of all stockpiles of anti-personnel landmines.
The NATO Trust Fund, valued at 1.69 million euro, is led by Canada and Austria. In addition to the lead nations, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain , Sweden and Switzerland have made financial contributions to the project. The work is being carried out by Serbian authorities under contract to the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency.
The first NATO Trust Fund project in Serbia and Montenegro, completed in November 2003, was established to destroy more than 28,000 surplus small arms and light weapons. A further NATO Trust Fund, for creating alternative livelihoods for redundant military personnel of the Serbian Armed Forces led by Norway, was launched in December 2005.
Further reading:
- NATO SEEI Trust Fund project for destruction of anti-personnel landmines stockpile in Serbia and in Montenegro (PDF/60Kb)