OSCE Project Co-ordinator hands over equipment to help Ukraine eliminate remnants of war

KYIV, 10 June 2010 - The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine handed over modern explosive ordnance detection equipment to the country's Emergency Situations Minister in an official ceremony in Kyiv today.

The equipment will enable experts to search for explosive ordnances up to 100 metres underwater and up to six metres underground. It will be used by the Emergency Situations Ministry to eliminate explosive remnants of war near the Ukrainian cities of Kerch, Sevastopol and Bila Tserkva.

"Remnants of war that remain in areas of Ukraine pose a serious risk to lives and safety of local residents. The OSCE PCU is responding to Ukraine's request to assist the country to eliminate these risks with the donation of state-of-the-art detection equipment," said Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

In April 2010, the OSCE PCU conducted training courses for pyrotechnic specialists from the explosive ordnance detection units of the Ministry.During the next stage of the project, the OSCE will deliver equipment to eliminate explosive objects as well as personal protection equipment for experts working to detect explosive ordnance. It will also conduct further training seminars.

The project is financed by Denmark and the United States.