On 29 Mar the closing ceremony for project EXPLODE was held in the Army Hall in Sarajevo to mark its successful completion. The event was hosted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and was attended by the Minister of Defence Marina Pendeš, Chief of the Joint Staff Lieutenant General Anto Jeleć, COMEUFOR Major General Anton Waldner, and COM NATO Sa Brigadier General Giselle Wilz.
Melisa Durak Buljubašić from UNDP moderating the event
After a video introduction, speeches were given by the Minister Pendes, Mr Melvin Asin from the EUSR, Mrs Sezin Sinanoglu from UNDP and COMEUFOR. Mrs Sinanoglu thanked EUFOR for its excellent support to the project, in particular the expert advice and drive from Colonel Martin Trachsler, the EUFOR Special Advisor for Weapons and Ammunition Disposal.
COMEUFOR said: “I will continue to support all activities within the Masterplan, particularly the new EU funded project focussing on the disposal of ammunition. I give my assurance that I will provide relevant expertise and my personal engagement as needed.”
Project EXPLODE, also known as Explosive Ordnance and Remnants of War Destruction Project in BiH, was funded entirely by the EU with over 4.6 million Euros and implemented by the UNDP starting in June 2013 and completing in November 2016. The successor project which is yet to be name will continue the good work through to 2018, by which time it is planned to have dealt with all surplus ammunition in the country.
