Opening of HALO's 25th Anniversary Exhibition
The visit of HALO鈥檚 25th Anniversary Photographic Exhibition to Kosovo鈥檚 National Museum was marked with on opening reception on 23rd January.
Speaking at the opening, Ambassador Krystyna Marty Lang of Switzerland, a long-standing donor of HALO in Kosovo, said that is 鈥渁larming鈥� that the recent joint survey conducted by HALO and the Kosovo Mine Action Centre has identified 130 minefields and cluster munition strikes remaining in Kosovo. She commented that 鈥渨ith the current low intensity and speed鈥� of clearance it will take ten more years before Kosovo is 鈥渢ruly free from the effects of mines and cluster munitions.鈥�
HALO鈥檚 Director, Guy Willoughby thanked the Government of Kosovo, HALO鈥檚 donors, and HALO鈥檚 dedicated staff for making possible HALO鈥檚 successes in Kosovo. He then challenged everyone with an interest in Kosovo to aim for a Kosovo free of mines by December 2017, so reducing the clearance time from another 10 years to four.
Responding to this Mr Agim 脟eku, Minister for the Kosovo Security Force said that this target was currently 鈥渙ptimistic鈥� but it could be achieved if the international community were to step in with additional funding. Mr 脟eku then presented HALO with a Letter of Appreciation for its 14 years of clearance in Kosovo.
M. Pascal Gregoire, Head of Mission of the Belgian Diplomatic Office, also spoke at the opening 鈥� The Kingdom of Belgium has been HALO鈥檚 other major donor in Kosovo in recent years.
