EC signs 2nd contract for demining of Cyprus buffer zone

The European Commission has signed a contract worth EUR  4 mln with the United Nations Development Programme in order to complete the demining of the buffer zone in Cyprus. This contract will be funded from the EU aid made available for the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Several mined areas lying within the U.N.-controlled “buffer zone”, created when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern part of the island, remain intact and cause deadly explosions with Greek Cypriot civilians and mine-clearing soldiers losing their lives.

Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the contract saying, “Demining is supported by all EU member states and this project has been agreed with Mr Talat, leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. It is an important step in reconciliation and confidence-building between the two communities on the island and is therefore most welcome.”

Earlier EU-funded programmes worth EUR 5 mln have already led to the demining of much of the buffer zone. The new contract, bringing total EU support for demining the buffer zone to EUR 9 mln, will allow the completion of this process.

As with the previous EU-funded operations, the work is managed by UNDP and carried out on their behalf by the Mine Action Centre in line with Technical Standards and Guidelines for Cyprus and International Mine Action Standards.

The new contract is financed from the reconciliation component of the EUR 259 mln aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.