SARAJEVO, October 17 (FENA) - All the activities on the implementation of a mine clearance program that will make Sarajevo a mine-free city by September next year are proceeding according to the plan and under very intense dynamic, it was said at today's meeting of Sarajevo Mayor Abdulah Skaka with representatives of the State Department, the United States Embassy and project implementers.
At a meeting with Ethan Rinks, Program Manager at the US State Department’s office in charge of the project, Skaka thanked the American people and the US Government once again for the project "Sarajevo without landmines by 2020", which is being implemented in cooperation with the Marshall Legacy Institute. The role of US Ambassador Eric Nelson in this historic project has been particularly emphasized.
“We are confident that we will be able to announce within the planned timeframe that Sarajevo, as a city, is cleared of this danger, which is a legacy of war and difficult times. This will be an additional impetus for economic development and investments, especially in the field of tourism. I would also like to thank all the partners involved, as well as the municipalities where demining takes place in whatever part of BiH they are located,” said Mayor Skaka.
The project "Sarajevo without land mines by 2020”, which is the largest single US-funded mine clearance project in the last 10 years in Bosnia and Herzegovina, covers five municipalities in the Sarajevo region that have mine suspected areas, namely the municipalities of Stari Grad, Istočni Stari Grad, Vogošća, Istočna Ilidža and Novi Grad.
Rinks noted that these activities bring direct benefit to the population, noting the leadership of the City of Sarajevo and the mayor throughout the implementation of the project.
He stressed that the successful implementation will be an impetus for the continued demining of the entire country, stated the City of Sarajevo Administration.
(FENA) S. R.