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Africa/Europe Summit Declaration

Friday 07 April 2000. Origin/Author: Mary Wareham

Africa-Europe Summit
under the Aegis of the OAU and the EU
Cairo, 3-4 April 2000

Cairo Declaration

Landmines

76. We express our deep concern over the problem of landmines and renew our commitment to resolving it.

77. The parties to the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Use, Stockpiling, Transport and Production of Anti-Personnel Landmines and on their Destruction welcome the convening of the first Continental Conference of African Experts on Landmines in South Africa in May 1997. They also welcome the Maputo Declaration that concluded the first meeting of the States Parties held in Mozambique in May 1999.

78. We will pursue our efforts within the framework of the CCW (Certain Conventional Weapons) and the protocols annexed thereto as well as the Ottawa Convention, and will continue to do so within all other relevant international, regional and sub-regional fora.

79. In this regard, We stress the need for intensifying efforts in the fields of mines clearance, assistance thereto, as well as with respect to mine victims and mine awareness.

80. We will continue to co-operate towards a comprehensive resolution of the landmine problem in Africa, in particular by addressing the issue of the removal of existing landmines. We call on those states in a position to do so, in particular States involved in the deployment of mines, to provide the necessary technical and financial assistance for landmine clearance operations and rehabilitation of victims.

Cairo Plan of Action

Landmines

We agree to:

88. Provide financial and technical assistance for the removal of existing landmines in African countries.

89. Work towards assisting and rehabilitating landmine victims, promoting mine awareness and developing the national capacities and skills in de-mining.