Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
VILNIUS, June 28 (Xinhua) — Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on Friday formally submitted notifications to the UN Secretary-General on their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines.
The three Baltic states cited changing national security needs as the main reason for their coordinated decision to withdraw from the convention, which bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys announced the move on Friday on the social media platform X. “Today, Lithuania officially notified the UN Secretary General of its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention. This decision was not taken lightly,” said K. Budrys.
The Latvian Foreign Ministry noted that the security situation in the region has changed significantly since Latvia joined the convention. “Withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention will provide Latvia with the flexibility to act to strengthen deterrence and ensure the protection of the country and its population,” the Foreign Ministry said.
“By withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, the Estonian Defence Forces will be able to more flexibly choose the weapons systems, means and methods necessary to strengthen the country’s defence capability,” said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
The Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines was signed in 1997 and entered into force in 1999. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia acceded to the convention in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively.
In recent months, the three Baltic countries have carried out internal legislative procedures to facilitate their withdrawal from the convention.
According to European media, Poland and Finland have also launched procedures to withdraw from the convention.
Under the convention’s rules, the withdrawal will take effect six months after the UN secretary general receives formal notification from each country. –0–