At long last the Convention on Cluster Munitions reached a historical compromise. On May 30, 2008 almost 120 nations agreed to prohibit the use and stockpiling of cluster bombs, secure the adequate provision of care and rehabilitation of survivors and called for the clearance of contaminated areas.

Moreover, the convention demands to see the presence of auto-self-destruct mechanisms, technology willfully snubbed for 60 years in at least 30 countries and territories. The European Liberals see the agreement as a crucial step toward the full respect and proper treatment of innocent civilians caught up in wars. Encouraging the states not party to this Convention to ratify the Charter, the ELDR party hopes for a swift review of the current stance from European Union countries, such as Greece, Poland, Romania and Latvia and from the Union’s neighbours and partners, namely Russia, Turkey, Israel, USA, Brazil, India, China and the other cluster bomb producing states. In agreement with the solid structure of the treaty, which does not allow alterations without the support of a two-thirds majority, ELDR trusts that the EU will do all it can to encourage the ratification process.

Annemie NEYTS, President of ELDR said: "I am happy to see that the Belgian example is followed up, it is a first step. But we need to do more. Agreeing to prohibit the use and stockpiling of cluster bombs is not enough. It is hypocrite to agree this while nothing is decided on a ban on production of cluster bombs."