The President of European Parliament Jerzy Buzek urges states, civil society and the international community to create a new momentum in the fight against anti personnel landmines (APL) in view of the UN Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action which falls on 4 April 2010.

President Buzek stated that: "The international community needs to live-up to its promises. After more than ten years since the signing of the Ottawa Treaty, a mine-free world is not a chimera any longer, but we are not there yet."

In the world there are roughly 500,000 people who have been permanently disabled as a consequence of APL blasts. Conservative estimates still point to 5,500 deaths every year following APL explosions. Children are among the most affected by this plague since they are often not properly educated about the potential threats of landmines.

"We need to make sure that programmes on demining, education and assistance remain high on our agendas and in our future financial perspective.

I welcome Finland and Poland's intention to ratify the Treaty by 2012. Europe's credibility in the fight against APL will be further strengthened," the President added.

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Background:
The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance for Mine Action was first introduced in 2006.

Since 1997 the EU and its member states have granted EUR 1.5 billion on programmes connected with mines and explosive remnants.

The EU acts through the destruction of mine stockpiles, education and prevention programmes, assistance to APL victims and advocacy among resilient member states.

On the tenth anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty, the European Parliament issued a resolution on which it asked for mine actions to be properly financed by the Commission. Moreover it urged USA, Russia, China, Pakistan and India to sign the Ottawa Treaty.

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For further information:

Inga Rosińska
Spokeswoman
Mobile: +32 498 981 354