The Syrian Arab Republic and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry in Damascus on Wednesday.
The MoU was signed by the Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad and Director of UNMAS Agnes Marcaillou.
The memorandum gives UNMAS the right to support the efforts of the Syrian state to clear mines, which were planted by armed terrorist groups during the years of crisis in Syria.
The two sides also held a meeting in which they discussed the implementation of the provisions of the memorandum through cooperation between the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Nations Mine Action Unit.
In turn, Mikdad affirmed that the Syrian Arab Army has made great efforts with friendly forces to remove mines planted by terrorists in areas that have now been liberated by the Syrian Arab Army.
He added that Syria needs the sincere efforts of the international community, including the UN, to face this great challenge.
For her part, Marcaillou said the signing of this memorandum is an encouraging start for the UN. It is necessary to draw to the attention of citizens the dangers that are posed by mines, whether in children’s schools or in cities, villages, agricultural lands, factories and elsewhere.
She pointed out that UNMAS will make every possible effort to mobilize the financial resources required to accomplish this task in full cooperation with the Syrian government.
In a press statement following the signing ceremony, Mikdad pointed out that the work according to the MoU will begin in specific areas and then move to all parts of Syria to get rid of the killing machines planted by Daesh, Jabhat al-Nusra and others.
The Head of UNMAS, in turn, said that UNMAS will work with the Syrian government to identify areas that need assistance and priorities will be set according to needs.
She expressed happiness over the extent of trust and cooperation reached as a UN representative with the Syrian government and her aspirations for a fruitful cooperation in the future.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
