DRAFT STRATEGY OF DEMINING ACTIVITIES IN BOSNIA FOR 2009-2019 PRESENTED

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (November 8,2007) – The board of donors for mine demining activities in Bosnia, in the presence of the majority of accredited ambassador in Bosnia, relevant state agencies and international organisations participating in this process, presented in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo the Draft Strategy of Demining Activities for 2009-2019.

The Bosnian Civil Affairs Minister Sredoje Novic chaired the session. The objective is to again turn public attention to the fact that mines still pose a serious risk to the safety of people and to stress to donors and interested partners the need for additional efforts n ensuring necessary funds for the final removal of mines.

Novic said that the threat of mines in BiH has been reduced, but that a lot remains to be done on finally completing this process.

“Bosnia possesses good capacities in personnel and staff for implementing mine action, but what we lack are funds for actual demining. We only need funds and this is why we are still dependant on donors”, he said.

Novic reminded that the international community insists that a transition be made as soon as possible to domestic sources of funding for the demining process. He said that a priority in the upcoming period would be passing the law on demining, which should enter parliamentary procedure early next year.

The Strategy of Demining Activities for 2009-2019 should be adopted by spring next year at the latest when a new donors’ conference should also be held. The Strategy is important because it will ensure that Bosnia plans significant funds in its budgets for these purposes.