Slovenia to provide Ukraine with non-refundable demining assistance
Slovenia will provide Ukraine with 1.5 million euros for humanitarian demining, according to an agreement signed on December 4, 2023, in Ljubljana, citing the Ministry of Economic Development's press service.
Under the terms of the agreement, the funds will be granted this year on a non-repayable basis. The money will support the State Emergency Service and the State Special Transport Service by providing necessary personal protective equipment, equipment, and technology for demining. Additionally, these funds will expedite the clearing of explosive devices from our country's territory, preserving the lives and health of many Ukrainians, as stated by the press service.
Ukraine aims to work closely with its partners and engage in dialogue to develop long-term solutions and initiate projects that will not only meet immediate needs but also lay the foundation for sustained collaboration in this field, added the Ministry of Economic Development.
Ukraine is currently the most mine-contaminated country in the world, with nearly one-third of its territory, approximately 174,000 square kilometers, considered potentially dangerous. The Ukrainian government has set a goal to return 80% of these territories to economic use within the next 10 years.
Earlier, the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania, Arvydas Anušauskas, presented the updated concept of the Demining Coalition. Currently led by Lithuania, this demining coalition intends to include 22 countries.