Celebrated continued partnership with Norway in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo
On Tuesday 8 June, Norway’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Olav Reinertsen and NPA BiH Country Director, Kristina Đurić signed a 5-year contract between the NPA and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA). The Signing of the contract will provide funding for land release of areas contaminated with landmines, cluster munition remnants (CMR) and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) in BiH and Kosovo.
The signing ceremony took place in the local community of Šehovci in the municipality of Sanski Most, where NPA’s deminers are currently conducting land release activities.
”This beautiful day at the beginning of June here in Sanski Most, is a very important one. With this project, NPA will have sufficient predictability for the planning of future activities in clearance of landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war”, said Norway’s Ambassador Mr. Reinertsen.
During the visit, Kristina Đurić, NPA BiH Country Director, briefed the Ambassador on the successes achieved in BiH and Kosovo, as well as NPA’s future plans. She conveyed her gratitude to the people of Norway for unreserved support to the Norwegian People’s Aid:
“Our mission is to protect civilians from explosive weapons. This five-year agreement allows us to plan with greater stability with an aim to remove the threat of explosive weapons, enable safe and sustainable return of internally displaced persons and refugees, and create pre-conditions for reconstruction, development, and infrastructure for the people living in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Tusen takk, Norge! “
“We will continue to support BiH’s fulfillment of both the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) obligations. Special thanks to the local community of Šehovci, Mayor Faris Hasanbegovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC), and Civil Protection for excellent cooperation and support. Over the past 25 years in BiH, NPA has released more than 80 million m2 of land back to the affected communities for their safe and productive use. That is a joint success which would not have been possible without strong partnerships with national stakeholders and generous support from all our donors."
NPA in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo
- NPA supports BiH to fulfil its APMC Artcle 5 and CCM Article 4 obligations and reach a landmine and cluster contamination-free status.
- Our mission is to release land previously contaminated with explosive weapons, back to communities for their safe and productive use.
- NPA Mine Action response enables reconstruction, development, safe and sustainable return of IDPs and refugees, as well as the necessary pre-conditions for post-conflict reconciliation in BiH and Kosovo.
NPA would like to thank the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Sarajevo for their generous support of our work to protect civilians from explosive weapons and for supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo on its path to becoming landmine and cluster munitions free.
