DUSHNBE, February 28, Asia-Plus - NATO has been interested in two projects submitted by Tajik Mine Action Cell (TMAC) for consideration during a roundtable meeting entitled “Participation of NATO in Demining Programs” that was held in Washington on February 22-23.    

Parviz Mavlonqulov, the deputy head of TMAC, said in an interview with Asia-Plus that the projects submitted for consideration to the meeting in Washington are aimed at purchasing demining machines and the constructing a separate base for suppers in the Rudaki district.  The projects cost $800,000 and up to $1 million respectively, according to Mavlonqulov.

“Switzerland will coordinate all issues related to the implementation of the projects,” Mavlonqulov said.  

Representative from 42 countries of the world took part in the meeting’s work.  Tajikistan was represented by TMAC director Jonmahmad Rajabov.   

Over the past four years, the demining teams have detected and neutralized 2,462 landmines and 767 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) on more than 460,000 square meters of lands.    

Demining program in Tajikistan is supported by the OSCE, the United Nations, the European Union, and the government of Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.