ITF signed 2010 grant agreement with United States Department of State

United States of America has again supported activities of the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victim Assistance (ITF) with 12.079.207 US$ emarked for ITF activities in 2010. The 2010 US Department of State Federal Assistance Award agreement was signed on 11 May 2010 at Vila Podrožnik in Slovenia in the presence of Ambassador Andrej Benedej?i?, Director General for Global Issues and Multilateral Political Relations, as the Chairman of the ITF Managing Board, by the US Department of State Representative Mr Mark W. Adams and ITF Director Mr Dorijan Marsic. The American side was represented by Brigadier General Thomas J. Masiello, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Plans, Programs and Operations and Susan D. Douglas, as well as representatives of the US Embassy in Ljubljana.
Director-General Ambassador Andrej Benedej?i? on this occasion briefly presented the activities of ITF from the establishment in 1998 and plans for the future. He expressed the hope that the cooperation between the ITF and the United States Department of State in the future would also be to such a high level.
ITF Director, Mr Dorijan Marši? stressed that United States of America is the most important partner of ITF since its establishment. The ceremony is also important because it reinforces the image of Slovenia, who actively participates in international efforts to mine action in countries where it is most needed.
Representative of the US Department of State, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Thomas J. Masiello, emphasized that Slovenia through ITF plays a special role as a steward of the international community's efforts and donations for mine action in the region. He also pointed out that US is very pleased to contribute to ITF and, through matching funds, also encourage others to do so as well. With the signing of the 2010 agreement United States of America remains the largest donor to ITF in 2010.