During 2020, more than 20 tons of unexploded ordnance (UXO) were collected, which will be destroyed by May.
This is written, among other things, in the Report on the state of the protection and rescue system in Montenegro for the past year, which was recently discussed at the Government session.
"During 2020, officers of the Department for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) carried out 283 activities to protect against unexploded ordnance (UXO), and on that occasion about 21 tons of UXO were collected, which will be destroyed in the following period (February - May 2021)", the document states.
It is explained that in addition to regular activities, 457 actions were carried out to transport UXO and explosive devices that are the subject of criminal acts, for the needs of the Forensic Center and the prosecution, and for the purpose of expert examination.
"Assistance was also provided to the Special Police Department and the Criminal Police, which was reflected in the search of the area with metal detectors. Metal detectors were used to inspect the grounds of the Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions in Spuz, due to the suspicion that there are illegal items and electronic equipment in the country. A counter-sabotage inspection of the seabed with underwater search detectors was carried out. Also, the destruction of ammunition that is not safe for transport was carried out, namely the destruction of 24 pieces of cluster munitions and 11 pieces of unexploded ordnance," the Report adds.
It was clarified that the transportation and destruction of 36 tons of UXO was carried out by the Poliex company, through a project implemented with the International Trust Fund (ITF) and the US Government.
In addition to the collection of UXO from land, the text states, UXO collection actions were also carried out under water surfaces - eight activities.
"Also, assistance was provided to the Army of Montenegro in the destruction of an anti-ship mine, which was destroyed under water by the officers of the UXO Department. Activities were also carried out to implement two projects, with the support of the Norwegian National Aid (NPA) and the US Government, as donors, and the International Trust Fund (ITF) as the project implementer.
It was stated that the project with the NPA, the value of which is around 1.115.000 euros, refers to the cleaning of the territory of Montenegro from cluster munitions.
"This project was successfully completed and Montenegro fulfilled its international obligation to clear its territory of residual cluster bombs by August 1, 2020."
The project with the ITF continued and additional funds were allocated to finance the destruction of the found UXO, the adaptation of the Rogame warehouse and the equipping of the UXO Department.
"The international organization PCM from Malta, in cooperation with the English College OCN, realized the training for the employees of the NUS Department. The training was successfully completed by three officers for level 2 and 3 and 2 officers for level 3+ underwater. Due to the situation caused by COVID-19, the training was carried out at the Poliex factory in Berane, and it was completely financed by the funds of the US Government", is part of the Report.
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