Busquin recommends creation of landmine research network of excellence
In the common position adopted by the Council and the European Parliament on 23 July, the institutions stated the ambitious goal of eliminating anti-personnel mines and underlined that further research and development in the area of mine action technology should continue with the aim of making mine clearance faster, safer and more cost-effective.
Mr Busquin believes that the many research projects which are currently underway need to be better coordinated. He would like to see universities, research centres, industry and the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) coming together at different stages of development. For this purpose, the Commissioner will propose that the relevant actors create a network of excellence.
Speakers at the event will include Belgian Defence Minister André Flahaut, several members of the European Parliament, representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international organisations and the scientific community.