News /

September 28, 2005, Delegation from Canada held conference on landmine issues at the OSCE Academy. Special Envoy of the Canadian Ambassador for Mine Action, and his delegation arrived in Bishkek on an official visit. The objective of the visit is to foster a dialogue with the government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.

 

During the visit, the Canadian delegation, accompanied by the Ambassador of Canada Anna Biolik, First Secretary Mark Opgenorth and Deputy Defence Attaché Michael Jordan, met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, the Security Council and Zhogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic.

 

Within the framework of this visit, the Conference on Landmine Issues hosted by the OSCE Academy took place on September 28 at 16:30. Special Envoy of the Canadian Ambassador for Mine Action General (Retired) Maurice Baril will make a presentation entitled: "The Ottawa Convention – What is it and how it affected Canada’s Military Operations has?”

 

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the entry-into-force of the Ottawa Convention banning antipersonnel mines. As the first country in the world to both sign and ratify the Ottawa Convention, the Government of Canada continues to be a leader in international efforts to universalize the Convention and support its implementation worldwide. Currently, 143 states have ratified or acceded to the Convention, including the majority of the world's most mine-affected states. The Convention entered into force on 1 March 1999 following the 40th ratification, marking the fastest entry-into-force of any multilateral disarmament treaty in history. To date, Canada has dedicated over $200 million to mine action efforts globally and is committed to the total eradication of anti-personnel mines and to provide ongoing support to their victims.

 

In his presentation, General (Retired) Maurice Baril made a general survey of the Ottawa Convention, talked about impact of the Convention on armies, and reflect on his role in implementing the Convention in Canada as Commander of the Army and subsequently Chief of the Defence Staff.

 

After the presentation, General (Retired) Maurice Baril took part in public discussion and answered questions from the media on the Ottawa Convention and its implementation. For detailed information please contact: Natalya Bougaets, tel.: +7 32 72 50 11 51 / 2/ 3