The National Defence Committee supports Estonia’s leaving the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu said that the Committee had supported withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention unanimously. According to him, the Baltic States, Finland and Poland have been discussing since the autumn whether, in addition to other measures that strengthen defence capabilities, the reintroduction of anti-personnel landmines and, consequently, withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention should be considered, and all five countries have now started the legal procedures necessary for withdrawal from the Convention.

“With this, we as countries on NATO’s Eastern flank are sending a clear message that we are ready and able to use all necessary means to defend our territory and our people,” Stoicescu stated. He added that before the withdrawal from the Convention, the members of the National Defence Committee would also meet with representatives of several international organisations.

According to the Bill initiated by the Government, Estonia will withdraw from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, which entered into force in 1999, and which Estonia acceded to in 2004.

The explanatory memorandum of the Bill points out that since Estonia ratified the Ottawa Convention more than 20 years ago, the security environment in Europe and in the Baltic Sea region has deteriorated significantly and the military threat to NATO member states has increased. At the same time, the Russian Federation is continuing its military aggression against Ukraine and is seriously violating its international obligations, including the standards of international humanitarian law. Russia has not acceded to the Ottawa Convention and is extensively using anti-personnel mines in the war against Ukraine.

According to the explanatory memorandum, withdrawal from the Convention will give the Estonian Defence Forces greater flexibility and freedom to choose the weapons systems and weapon solutions to be used when necessary. Withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention will enter into force six months after the date of notification, provided that on the expiry of that period, the withdrawing country is not engaged in an armed conflict.

The National Defence Committee decided to move to include the Bill on Withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (642 SE) in the agenda of the plenary sitting on 22 May, and to conclude the first reading of the Bill. The final vote is planned to take place at the second reading of the Bill.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna gave an overview of the Bill and the activities relating to the withdrawal from the Convention at the sitting of the National Defence Committee.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The National Defence Committee supports Estonia’s leaving the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

Source: Parliament of Estonia