THE EUROPEAN Commission yesterday released €2.5 million in funding to help de-mine the 180km-long buffer zone that divides Cyprus, a statement issued in Nicosia said.
The funding is part of a package comprising €5 million to be paid out by the Commission over the next two years to remove land mines littering the UN-patrolled buffer zone since 1974.
“Work can start now for the actual mine clearing in the buffer zone by September,” the Commission’s announcement said.
It said that the de-mining operation would first focus on the area of the buffer zone in and around Nicosia. This area is a priority for mine clearing since freedom of movement was reintroduced on the island in April 2003 when checkpoints were opened in some areas.
Both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides are keen to open more checkpoints but are concerned about landmines. The last death occurred around five years ago when a Greek Cypriot man followed his dog, which had strayed into the buffer zone on the outskirts of the capital.
It is estimated that close to 17,000 landmines have been laid in and around the buffer zone and on the Greek Cypriot side since 1974. US estimates put the number of minefields inside the buffer zone at 48, with 70 known or suspected areas within 400 metres of the line.
The estimates suggest that minefields cover around 1,350 square kilometres in Cyprus. The mines were laid in a hurry and haphazardly during the hostilities in 1974 to ward off the advancing Turkish troops.
The number of mines laid by the Turkish army is not known but is roughly estimated to be at least twice as many.
The Greek Cypriots have already cleared 10 minefields south of the buffer zone; more than 11,000 mines of various types have been destroyed.
According to the Commission, a mine action unit will be formally established at UNFICYP headquarters in Nicosia. The financial assistance will be channelled via the EU-funded UNDP/UNOPS programme ‘Partnership for the Future’ in co-operation with UNFICYP, the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.
“New crossing points could be opened after mine clearing has taken place,” the Commission’s statement said. The project is likely to take around two years to complete.
UNFICYP spokesman Brian Kelly said yesterday the force was working with the EU and UNOPS on the project, although he said it was early to give specific details of where work would begin. “It will probably be in the vicinity of Nicosia, moving outwards,” he said.
The Commission said that the operation would be carried out by international de-mining firms and NGOs with proven experience in mine clearance and related activities with the United Nations.
The tendering procedures to identify a firm or NGO to carry out the work have already been launched.
“We won’t have more information until the tenders procedures are completed,” Kelly said. “All of this is still a bit down the line.”
The Commission hopes the funding will help underpin its recently-launched ‘Green Line Policy’ as regards free movement of persons and goods between the two sides.
