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PHNOM PENH: Japan will work with Cambodia to clear landmines in Ukraine and other war-torn countries, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said during a visit to Phnom Penh on Saturday (July 6).
Millions of mines were laid during Cambodia’s nearly three-decade conflict, which ended in 1998, killing or maiming tens of thousands of people over the years.
The Southeast Asian country is widely considered a world leader in mine protection and has been working with Japan on mine clearance since 1998.
“Cambodia is an important partner of Japan in global mine action,” Kamikawa said at a news conference.
“I believe that as a country that has suffered from anti-personnel mines in the past, Cambodia will make a great contribution to raising awareness of the inhumanity of anti-personnel mines.”
The minister said Japan will deliver a large mine-clearing machine to Ukraine next week and will train Ukrainian institutions in Cambodia in August on how to use the equipment.
Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), told reporters that the organisation and local deminers are “proud of this important initiative and strongly support the new strategy of cooperation”.
He added: “We are happy to share our experience with other countries facing landmine and legacy of war issues in line with the Cambodian government’s policy.”
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine has been littered with mines and explosive remnants, and incidents of civilians and soldiers being killed by mines have occurred from time to time.
According to Human Rights Watch, landmines have been found in 11 of Ukraine’s 27 regions.
The organization said it is aware that Russian forces have used at least 13 types of anti-personnel mines since February 2022.
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