Verklaring voorzitter Europees Parlement Schulz over Syrische en Poolse landmijnen (en)

Marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz i stated:

"Landmines and cluster munitions are weapons that deliberately hit professional military and civilians alike.

In the recent example of the use of landmines along the Syrian borders with Turkey and Lebanon, civilians fleeing the country were the prime target. This is a further proof of the dishonesty of the Syrian regime and I condemn it fully.

Children are often the first victims of landmines and cluster munitions no matter whether in times of war or peace. Our efforts must be targeted not only at ending the proliferation of landmines and cluster munitions, but also at de-mining and assistance to the victims. On this day, I pay tribute to all local and international organisations working on the ground who help to clear mined areas and provide relief to the victims and their families.

I congratulate Finland on its accession to the Mine Ban Treaty in January 2012. I call on Poland, the last remaining EU Member State which has not yet ratified the Mine Ban Treaty, to make good on its pledge to ratify it this year. I also call on the ten EU Member States outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to accede to it as soon as possible."