Defense ministry at the Laos meeting

TIRANA, Nov. 15 – An Albanian delegation headed from Deputy Defense Minister Arjan Starova took part at the First Conference of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was held in Vientiane, Laos, Nov. 9-12.
The Convention on the Prohibition of Cluster Munitions bans the use, transfer and collection of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. Other obligations stipulated in the convention are cleaning areas contaminated with cluster munitions, and to aware the population on the risk and their destruction. Albania signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 3 December 2008 in Oslo, Norway and handed the Instrument of Ratification to the United Nations in New York on 16 June 2009.
Starova said that “Albania has never produced, stored, traded or used cluster munitions. These munitions in the territory of Albania are as a result of the Kosova conflict in 1999”, adding that “Albania is one of the first 10 countries which have ratified the Convention so important for the elimination of these munitions that can cause serious damage to the communities that live near contaminated areas. Albanian Government was among the first signatories governments of the convention not just to express international solidarity. She was aware of the devastating effects of cluster munitions to the safety and lives of people. As a result, the Government in cooperation with donor countries, 10 months before entry into force of the Convention has met its obligation to clear all unexploded munitions in the north-eastern areas of the country, near the border with Kosova.”
Starova also spoke on the work done by the Albanian authorities in terms of education to reduce risks for the population near contaminated areas with cluster munitions and the expansion of care for victims of cluster munitions around the country.
Starova urged all countries that have not yet signed the Convention, to join it as soon as possible to strengthen peace and security in the world and to contribute in enhancing the welfare of its population.
Albania, a NATO member since April 2009, has had up to 100,000 tons of excess ammunition which it is obliged to dispose of.
In 2008, the explosion at a private disposal factory near capital Tirana killed 26, injured 300 persons and destroyed or damaged tho8sands of homes and businesses in the area.
The country has pledged to give an end to the excess ammunition until 2014.