Türkiye pledges ongoing support for global mine clearance efforts
Naval mine floats in ocean waters with submarine silhouette in background, accessed on April 4, 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pledged to continue its “strong and determined support” to countries battling mine threats both on land and sea, as well as in international forums, according to an official statement released Thursday.
The announcement came on April 4, which the United Nations General Assembly has designated as the “International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action” to draw attention to the dangers posed by mines and unexploded ordnance.
How National Mine Action Center coordinates support
Türkiye plays a significant role in combating landmines and sea mines at regional and global levels, the ministry statement emphasized. Through its National Mine Action Center, Türkiye supports the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, as well as international cooperation frameworks established under this agreement.
The statement highlighted that mines and unexploded ordnance remain a serious threat to human security in many countries, noting that these hazards also negatively impact socioeconomic development and the preservation of cultural heritage.
“Our country shares the security concerns of nations like Afghanistan, where mine contamination has long posed a serious security threat, as well as Azerbaijan, which still has numerous undetected mines in territories liberated from occupation,” the statement said.
The ministry concluded by reaffirming that “our country’s strong and determined support to countries fighting against mine threats, both in land and sea areas and on international platforms, will continue.”
