LOC21:55
18:55 GMT
BRUSSELS, June 27 (KUNA) -- Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders urged the global community Tuesday to stand up more than ever for a mine-free world by 2025, but also for a world without victims of mines.
He also called for the widest possible application of the Treaty on Anti-personnel mines.
"As always Belgium presents itself as an advocate for the universalization of the treaty along with the support of special envoys HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium and HRH Prince Mired of Jordan and along with the current Austrian Presidency of the treaty," he said in a statement.
Didier recalled that exactly 20 years ago, from 24 to 27 June 1997, the International Conference on Anti-Personnel Mines was held in Brussels.
Ninety-seven states then signed the Brussels Declaration supporting a comprehensive ban on the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
The Brussels Declaration of June 1997 marked a decisive step in the process of adoption and signing of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in Oslo on 18 September 1997 and in Ottawa on 3-4 December 1997, he noted.
Today, 162 States are Parties to the Ottawa Convention. 85 States have completely destroyed their stocks and 30 of the 61 States that have recognized the presence of mined areas have finalized their demining.
However, the Belgian minister expressed concern that the number of victims of anti-personnel mines, especially improvised anti-personnel mines, continues to be worrying.
"Belgium again condemns the use of anti-personnel mines and improvised anti-personnel mines by anyone," he added. (end)
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