Program helps Albania dispose hazardous chemicals

TIRANA, Oct. 19 – Experts from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have begun storing 80 tons of hazardous chemicals at military sites for destruction, under a program launched after a deadly munitions blast in 2008.
The Vienna-based organization said Thursday the program was funded by the Czech Republic and Turkey and would eventually dispose of 37 types of chemicals to be stored and shipped abroad for destruction.
Former Communist and current NATO-member Albania has received additional overseas support in reducing its large military stockpiles after huge explosions in 2008 at a military site outside the capital Tirana killed at least 26 people, wounded more than 300 and damaged more than 2,000 homes and other buildings.
“The chemicals are currently stored near populated areas, and the existing packaging in most cases is almost totally destroyed, putting lives andthe environment at risk,”said the Head of OSCE Presence, Ambassador Florian Raunig. “Through this project, OSCE seeks to make a significant contribution to improving security and safety of people in Albania.”
The project covers 37 different kinds of chemicals, including highly dangerous substances stored in military facilities inTirana and other locations across the country. Over the coming five weeks, they will be repackaged, safely stored and prepared for shipment and destruction at chemical disposal facilities abroad at a later stage.
The activities are funded by the OSCE, the Czech Republic and Turkey, and carried out by a private contractor together with staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, who also received training from the OSCE.
The OSCE Presence has been assisting Albania in its efforts to safely destroy surplus conventional ammunition and dangerous toxic chemicals since 2008.The OSCE Presence already helped to dispose of 180 tons of other toxic materials and provided equipment for the destruction of surplus ammunition.