NewKerala.com

Key Points

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have formally withdrawn from the Ottawa Convention, citing heightened security needs. The decision allows them to legally acquire and use anti-personnel mines for defense. Each country emphasized continued commitment to humanitarian demining efforts despite the exit. The move aligns with similar steps by Poland and Finland amid shifting regional threats.

Key Points: Baltic States Withdraw From Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty Over Security

  • Baltic states cite security threats for Ottawa Convention exit
  • Joint withdrawal allows legal use of anti-personnel mines
  • Move follows Poland and Finland’s similar steps
  • Six-month UN notification period required for full withdrawal
2 min read

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia notify UN of withdrawal from mine ban treaty

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia exit the Ottawa Convention citing evolving defense needs, gaining flexibility amid regional security concerns.

"Withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention will give Latvia the flexibility to strengthen deterrence and ensure the protection of the country and its residents. – Latvian Foreign Ministry"

Vilinus, June 29

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have officially submitted their withdrawal notices from the Ottawa Convention to the United Nations Secretary-General.

The three Baltic nations cited evolving national security needs as the primary reason for their coordinated decision to exit the Convention, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys announced the move on X on Friday. "Today, Lithuania officially notified the UN Secretary-General of its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention. This decision was not made lightly," Budrys said.

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the regional security environment has changed significantly since Latvia joined the Convention. "Withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention will give Latvia the flexibility to strengthen deterrence and ensure the protection of the country and its residents," the ministry said.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "By leaving the Ottawa Convention, the Estonian Defence Forces will have greater flexibility in choosing the weapons systems, tools, and solutions necessary to strengthen the country's defence capabilities."

The withdrawal allows the three Baltic states to legally acquire, produce, stockpile, use, and transfer anti-personnel landmines.

The three countries emphasised that they remain committed to international humanitarian law and will continue to support humanitarian demining and assistance for victims of armed conflicts, reported Xinhua news agency.

The Ottawa Convention was signed in 1997 and entered into force in 1999. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia joined the Convention in 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively. Poland became a party to the treaty later in 2012.

In recent months, all three countries have moved through domestic legislative procedures to facilitate their withdrawal.

Lithuania's parliament approved the exit in May. President Gitanas Nauseda described the move as a logical and necessary step. The joint Baltic decision follows a broader regional initiative, with Poland and Finland also launching procedures to leave the Convention.

Under the treaty's rules, withdrawal becomes effective six months after each country's formal notification is received by the UN Secretary-General.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya M
Very concerning development. Landmines cause decades of civilian suffering - just look at Cambodia or Angola. There must be better ways to ensure national security without resorting to such weapons 😔
A
Amit S
Smart move by Baltic nations! When your neighbor is Russia, you need every possible defense option. India should take notes - sometimes treaties become outdated with changing geopolitics.
S
Sunita R
As someone whose uncle lost his leg to a landmine in Kashmir, this news makes me very sad. These weapons don't discriminate between soldiers and civilians. The world should be moving away from them, not back towards them.
V
Vikram J
Interesting how multiple NATO countries are doing this simultaneously. Makes you wonder what intelligence they're seeing that we're not. Maybe India should reconsider its position on the Ottawa Convention too?
N
Neha P
The article mentions they'll continue humanitarian demining efforts - that's just PR. Once mines are laid, they're impossible to fully clear. This is a step backward for humanity. Shame on these countries!
R
Rohit D
Realpolitik in action! When survival is at stake, treaties become optional. India has always maintained strategic ambiguity on such issues - perhaps we were right all along.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50