The defence ministers of Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have recommended that the leadership of their countries withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning the use, production and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines.
The Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines entered into force in 1999. The International Committee of the Red Cross estimates that these mines cause many civilian casualties and remain dangerous long after the end of hostilities.
“Since the ratification of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention [the Ottawa Convention – ed.], the security situation in our region has deteriorated significantly. Military threats to NATO member states bordering Russia and Belarus have increased significantly,” the joint statement reads.
The ministers believe that in the “current circumstances” it is necessary to give defence forces “flexibility and freedom of choice” in the potential use of new weapons systems.
The statement also noted that despite the beginning of the process of withdrawal from the convention, the Baltic States and Poland “will remain committed to the principle of protection of civilians during armed conflict”.
We shall remind you that earlier it was reported that the bill to close Estonia’s border with Russia was submitted to the parliament of the republic, the Riigikogu.
