Croatia Declares Landmine-Free Status After 31 Years of Demining

Croatia has officially declared itself free of landmines, marking the end of a 31-year demining effort that began after the Homeland War. The announcement came from Interior Minister Davor Božinović during an event marking International Civil Protection Day in Zagreb.

The decades-long effort to clear the country of explosive remnants of war came at a heavy cost. Over 208 people lost their lives during the demining operations, including 41 professional deminers. The total cost of clearing Croatia's minefields is estimated at around 1.2 billion euros.

According to Božinović, the demining work has been completed in accordance with the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. The minister stated that nearly 107,000 mines and 407,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance have been removed from Croatian territory.

This achievement represents more than just a technical success. As Božinović emphasized, "A mine-free Croatia means safer families, better development of rural areas, more farmland, and stronger tourism." The removal of these deadly remnants opens up previously dangerous areas for agricultural use, infrastructure development, and tourism expansion.

The demining effort covered the entire country, with particular focus on areas that saw heavy fighting during the 1991-1995 conflict. The work was carried out systematically, with teams of deminers carefully clearing suspected minefields and conducting thorough searches of affected areas.

Croatia's achievement places it among the nations that have successfully met their obligations under international conventions aimed at eliminating the threat of landmines. The completion of this work represents a significant milestone in the country's post-war recovery and development.

For the families of those who lost their lives in demining accidents, and for the victims of mines and their families, this achievement carries special significance. The minister described it as "the fulfillment of a moral obligation" to those affected by the legacy of the conflict.

The clearance of all known minefields opens new possibilities for Croatia's economic development, particularly in rural and previously inaccessible areas. Farmers can now safely use land that was once considered too dangerous for cultivation, and tourism operators can develop attractions in areas that were previously off-limits due to safety concerns.

This milestone represents the culmination of a generation's work to heal the physical scars of war and create a safer environment for all Croatian citizens and visitors to the country.