Albania to continue demilitarization process
| Xinhua | 2014-2-9 By Agencies |
Albanian
Defense Minister Mimi Kodheli said Friday the country will continue the
ongoing demilitarization process, including eliminating hazardous
chemicals, old ammunition and small arms and the cleaning of former
military hot spots.
In a round-table discussion at the Demilitarization Factory in Elbasan, central Albania, Kodheli said the country has dismantled around 80 percent of its aged ammunition stockpile over the past five years, and more than 100 tons of hazardous chemicals were repacked last year.
"We will continue to carry out demilitarization process and improve working conditions in military factories," Kodheli said, adding that Albania will expand demilitarization to build "a clear and safe country."
Kodheli thanked international donors for providing assistance in disposing of the country's large stockpiles of aging ammunition, but said Albania needs more funding for the removal of chemicals and ensuring they are safely destroyed abroad.
Florian Raunig, representing the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Albania, said the organization is considering launching a new phase of hazardous materials removal and destruction at the request of the Albanian Ministry of Defence.
"Together with the ministry and potential donors, we will explore possibilities for further assistance in this area," Raunig said, describing the decommissioning of small arms and light weapons as "another challenge."
In a round-table discussion at the Demilitarization Factory in Elbasan, central Albania, Kodheli said the country has dismantled around 80 percent of its aged ammunition stockpile over the past five years, and more than 100 tons of hazardous chemicals were repacked last year.
"We will continue to carry out demilitarization process and improve working conditions in military factories," Kodheli said, adding that Albania will expand demilitarization to build "a clear and safe country."
Kodheli thanked international donors for providing assistance in disposing of the country's large stockpiles of aging ammunition, but said Albania needs more funding for the removal of chemicals and ensuring they are safely destroyed abroad.
Florian Raunig, representing the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Albania, said the organization is considering launching a new phase of hazardous materials removal and destruction at the request of the Albanian Ministry of Defence.
"Together with the ministry and potential donors, we will explore possibilities for further assistance in this area," Raunig said, describing the decommissioning of small arms and light weapons as "another challenge."
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