Speech by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner - A World without Landmines

Sommaire: July 6, 2005: Speech by Dr Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood policy, A World without Landmines, European Parliament (Strasbourg)

A World without Landmines

Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure and an honour to address this assembly today. The topic of landmines is extremely important. Our efforts to achieve a "world without landmines" are a centrepiece of our work for human security.

Even today, landmines remain a threat in too many countries. Their terrible impact still haunts too many people. They affect local and regional security and thus the stability and development of our partners.

The international community has invested a lot of energy to tackle this issue. The European Union in particular has worked hard to stop the horrible human suffering and the security risks caused by mines.

And despite all the challenges that we still face, our landmine action policy is a true success story.

Five years after the Mine Ban Treaty entered into force and after the successful outcome of the Nairobi Review Conference last year, the international community, with the EU as a leading force, has achieved significant progress towards a world without landmines.

To date 144 countries have ratified the Mine Ban Treaty; the number of victims has dropped from about 26,000 per year to between 15,000 and 20,000; no state transfers landmines anymore; more than 31 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed; and mine action programmes are being successfully implemented in many affected countries, together with civil society players and international organisations.

While these are great achievements, there remains a lot to do.

There can be no long term security without human security. Support for international mine action therefore continues to be among the most important political priorities of the EU. This is an issue that has been and will always be close to my heart as the Union's External Relations Commissioner.

Our efforts to combat landmines are an integral part of our foreign, humanitarian and development policy. In response to the Nairobi Action Plan, the European Commission adopted the second Mine Action Strategy for 2005-2007 at the end of last year.

Its overarching objective is the "Zero Victim Target". What we want is a world where no one will be injured or killed by landmines. This is not a remote political dream. It is an achievable goal.

To make it reality, the Commission is further strengthening international assistance in mine action, by strongly encouraging States to ratify the Mine Ban Treaty and by supporting them to implement it.

In this regard, it is my pleasure to announce that following the ratification by the Ukrainian Parliament of the Mine Ban Treaty in May, the Commission and the Ukrainian Government have just agreed the details of a major project on the destruction of landmine stockpiles. We have explained to our Ukrainian partners that they needed to ratify the Mine Ban Treaty before we could release any funds. This is therefore an encouraging example of concrete cooperation that promotes universal adherence to the Treaty.

Our Strategy is supported by a budget of 140 million Euros, representing an increase of 10% compared to the 2002-2004 Strategy. This money is well spent, not to just for marking, clearing and destroying mines, but also, to alleviate the suffering of the victims, aid their socio-economic reintegration, and to enhance local and regional capacity. This shows that Europe's foreign policy is at its best when it uses all its broad instruments to promote human security.

Let me stress that, generally, since the signature of the Mine Ban Treaty in 1997, the overall financial support from the Community and Member States reached the record figure of over 1 billion Euros, representing almost half of the total global budget for mine action.

This proves that the EU is, indeed, a global actor who can make the difference. And it proves that the European Parliament and the Commission make a strong tandem in foreign affairs.

Therefore, I greatly welcome and support all your initiatives in this area. Today's resolution shows once again our strong joint commitment to combat landmines.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The European Union currently faces heavy weather. But that is no reason to become introspective. We must remain firm in pursuing our ultimate external policy goal: "A secure Europe in a better world".

Working hard to fully eradicate the scourge of landmines is an integral part of this international responsibility.

Thank you.

Ref: SP05-275EN
Source UE: Commission Européenne
UN forum:
Date: 6/7/2005

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