Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000136/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Marcin Sypniewski (ESN)
EU bodies have continually stressed the importance of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Convention’). At the same time, Russia has been engaged in a full-scale war with Ukraine for almost three years, and the states responsible for the EU’s external border have been facing pressure from Russia and Belarus as part of a hybrid war.
In the context of these events and the challenges faced by Member States (especially Poland and the Baltic States), the idea of those states directly facing the aforementioned threats withdrawing from the Convention is being discussed in the public space. In this connection, I would like to ask the following questions:
- 1.What is the Commission’s opinion on the possibility of certain Member States withdrawing from the Convention? If the Commission takes a negative view, will it allow for the possibility of a temporary derogation from the provisions of the Convention in the light of the current situation?
- 2.Does the Commission feel that the withdrawal from the Convention or its temporary suspension for the purpose of defending the EU’s borders could form part of the EU’s defence strategy following the appointment of a Commissioner for Defence and Space?
- 3.If the Commission feels that the suspension of or withdrawal from the Convention by certain states is not acceptable, how does it intend to ensure that border states have adequate means and mechanisms at their disposal to protect their borders in the face of escalating hybrid and military threats?
Submitted: 15.1.2025