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Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis extended his deepest condolences to the families of Polish, Latvian and Slovak de-miners, who died on 8 June during a mine-clearing operation in Iraq, and to the Governments of these countries. “The troops have done their duty to their country and to the international community. This loss causes a deep sorrow to their families and to all Polish, Latvian and Slovak people,” Antanas Valionis said. According to him, this painful fatality reminds one more time, “what a deadly threat the landmines pose to civilians and de-miners and of what great importance the issue of their de-mining is.” On 7 June, Lithuania destroyed the last antipersonnel mines, remained in the country. On 8 June, a two-day international conference devoted to banning of antipersonnel mines and preparations to the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World to be held in the end of November- beginning of December, started in Vilnius.