Press Release: Convention to ban cluster munitions opened for signature

The Convention banning the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians opened for signature in an official ceremony hosted in Oslo. Norway has been one of the driving States behind the negotiation process which, started only last year, successfully culminated in the adoption of the Convention in Dublin last May by 107 States, including 21 EU Member States. The Convention will enter into force once at least 30 countries have ratified it. The European Commission, one of the world’s foremost donors to mine action for the last ten years, has been assisting countries and populations afflicted by cluster munitions as part of the EC’s de-mining, mine risk education and victim assistance programmes since 1998.