Moldova has started destroying anti-personnel mines

Moldova has started destroying anti-personnel mines which are in service in its National Army.

As a RIA Novosti correspondent was told on Wednesday by Moldovan Defence Minister, Brigadier General Viktor Gaichuk, "more than 11,000 anti-personnel mines and 362 tons of fluid rocket propellant - melange - will be destroyed before the end of this year.

The destruction of the ammunition is taking place in accordance with the memorandum-cum-agreement between the government of Moldova and NATO's CIS Operating and Support Agency, added the minister.

The anti-personnel mines are being defused by a separate sappers' battalion of the National Army, and the melange - by specialists from the British John Brown company.

According to the Defence Minister, the National Army, with the help of foreign partners, will also destroy this year 1,800 tons of the banned and unserviceable pesticides which are stored in Moldova.