DUSHANBE, November 7, 2012, Asia-Plus  – An OSCE-facilitated visit of a group of humanitarian de-mining experts from Afghanistan to share their experience with Tajik counterparts, started in Dushanbe today, press release issued by the OSCE office in Tajikistan said.

The visit was organized jointly by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, through its cross-border technical co-operation program on explosive hazards reduction and response, and the Tajik Mine Action Centre / UNDP in Tajikistan.

The program of the week-long visit includes a workshop and field activities. Four representatives of Afghanistan’s Mine Action Co-ordination Centre and the Department of Mine Clearance within the Afghan National Disaster Management Authority will address issues related to quality management of humanitarian de-mining operations, national mine action standards as well as planning of de-mining operations.

“This initiative will help Tajikistan to address more effectively the mine problem, which threatens security not only inside Tajikistan, but beyond its borders,” said Hans-Peter Larsen, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.  “The provision of technical assistance by Afghan experts to the Tajik Mine Action program team will also help break the widely-held stereotype of Afghanistan being solely a recipient of international aid and assistance.”

“The government of Tajikistan appreciates the willingness of Afghan experts to share experiences and best practices in humanitarian de-mining with our specialists,” said Abduqodir Ismatov, Secretary of the Commission on International Humanitarian Law Implementation under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Since 2009, the OSCE Office in Tajikistan has been supporting the development of co-operative mechanisms on a technical level between Tajikistan and neighboring states to address concerns and challenges stemming from explosive hazards, including landmines and unexploded ordnance.  The mechanisms have been developed with the support of the International Trust Fund (ITF) Enhancing Human Security as the Office’s implementing partner.