Author(s):
Virginie Andre <andreSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org> .
europe,
Tuesday 14 June 2005
'The European Parliament for a Mine-Free World'
Thursday, 16 June 2005
9:00 - 12:30 and 15:00 - 18:30
Nobel Peace co-laureate Jody Williams will be addressing a joint hearing of the European Parliament in Brussels on 16 June to chart the road ahead for the achievement of a truly mine-free world.
The meeting - the first of its kind after the enlargement of the European Union and the first Review Conference of the Mine Ban Convention held in Nairobi in November 2004 - is convened by the European Parliament’s Committees on Development and International Trade and Subcommittee on Security and Defence of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. During the day, diplomats, representatives from Non Governmental organisations, European institutions, international Organizations involved in Mine Action and the ICRC will discuss the challenges posed by the universalization of the mine ban, mine clearance, threat reduction and prevention, and victim assistance and rehabilitation.
“Europe has a pivotal role to play in ridding the world of the threat of landmines,” said Jody Williams commending the financial support provided by the European Commission to mine action programmes around the world as well as political efforts by the European Parliament and successive Presidencies of the Council to promote adherence to the Mine Ban Convention.
“This role will be further strengthened when all members of the European Union finally become parties to the Mine Ban Convention, showing real unity in the rejection for these inhuman and indiscriminate weapons,” Williams added. The Nobel co-laureate welcomed recent steps by Latvia towards accession to the Mine Ban Convention and urged the last two remaining EU members, Poland and Finland, to follow that example.
More information on the day events
For further information or interviews, please contact Simona Beltrami on +39 340 4759573
Draft Resolution