EU Mine Action Strategy: 2002-2004

On 3 December, the Commission adopted the EU Mine Action Strategy for 2002-2004, and a detailed Multiannual Indicative Programming, which will mobilise through various Community instruments alone (geographical, ECHO, APL and RRM budget lines), approximately € 105 million over the period 2002-2004. Using these instruments in an integrated way, the EC will support mine action activities (surveys, clearance and assistance to victims) and the economic and social rehabilitation of the de-mined regions and the resettled populations.

This Strategy will integrate and complement the existing indicative annual and multi-annual country strategies agreed with third countries and with other beneficiaries (identified through humanitarian and relief organisations), which are partners of EU anti-mine actions around the world.

By adopting this strategy the European Commission enables the EU to better respond to emerging crises and to new humanitarian needs. In addition, the support for the implementation of mine clearance and stockpile destruction in countries, which have acceded to the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel landmines, will be continued.

The EU will use its resources to mobilise rapid mine action to ensure the safe passage and resettlement of displaced populations, as a tool for post-conflict humanitarian security, reconciliation, and consolidation of peacemaking agreements.

The EU will continue to assist the capacity of mine-affected countries to face and solve the land mine problems, while increasing the efficiency of operations on the ground.

Both bilaterally as well as regionally, through its assistance, partnership and association policies, the EU will promote a dialogue on overall Mine Action including and leading to stockpile destruction.

The EU will continue its support to countries which have acceded to the Ottawa Convention and to those countries which are willing to access the Ottawa Convention as well as to parties engaged in peace making agreements, whereby they will refrain from using and start clearing Anti- Personnel Landmines as well as destroying their stockpiles.

The Commission is also fostering donor coordination first with its Member States mine action activities as well as with non-governmental organisations and the agencies of the UN system. For example, the EU has supported Landmine Impact Surveys in 6 countries, among which Afghanistan, with UNMAS (UN Mine Action Service).


For further information:

http://eu-mine-actions.jrc.cec.eu.int/demining.asp

For the EC Mine Action Report:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/mine/intro/02_04en.pdf

For The EU anti-personnel landmines challenge - Publication:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/mine/publication/index.htm

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• EU Presidency Statement - Assistance in Mine Action  (5/11/2003)
• EU Presidency Statement - Mine action (15/11/2002)