Ukraine: Austria pays two million euros for demining

2023-05-27 16:44:00

Nehammer said again: “It remains the case: no Austrian soldier will set foot on Ukrainian soil for demining as long as it is a war zone.” At the same time, the Chancellor recalled that 250,000 square kilometers of Ukraine were already mined. That is almost three times the area of Austria. Around 10.6 million people in Ukraine are dependent on demining assistance.

The “International Trust Fund” – an internationally active aid organization set up by the Slovenian government in 1998 and specializing in the removal of explosive remnants of war – will make the mine clearance equipment available to Ukraine in coordination with the Ukrainian civil protection authority. In addition to the two million euros for the ITF, Austria has been supporting the “Support Program for Ukraine” within the framework of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) in the area of humanitarian demining since last year.

Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) said that with the measure Austria was helping Ukrainian children to be able to attend kindergartens and schools again. “And we are strengthening food security by allowing farmers to till their fields again.” Kogler added: “Being neutral doesn’t mean that we sit back and look the other way.”

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) said that Austria has been “solid” on the side of the Ukrainian population since Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022. “We will continue this commitment – for as long as necessary. This also applies to civilian demining: With our renewed help, we are making an important contribution in the fight against these hidden death traps, which are banned worldwide,” said the Foreign Minister, according to the broadcast.