Today marks the entry into force of Latvia's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, storage, and production of landmines, reported the press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Diana Eglīte.
On June 27, a document was submitted to the UN Secretary-General regarding Latvia's withdrawal from the convention. According to the convention, the decision takes effect six months after the submission of the document, that is, on December 27. After this date, Latvia may use, acquire, or produce landmines.
The press department of the Ministry of Defense explained that after the decision comes into effect, the ministry will be able to organize the relevant procurements.
As reported, the Saeima adopted the law on Latvia's withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty on April 16. In May, the Lithuanian parliament voted for the withdrawal from the convention, and in June, the parliaments of Estonia and Finland did the same.
The Ottawa Convention was adopted in Oslo on September 18, 1997, but came into force in 1999. More than 160 countries around the world have joined it, including most Western nations. China, Russia, the USA, India, and Pakistan did not join the convention.
States parties to the convention are obligated never, under any circumstances, to use landmines, as well as not to develop, produce, or acquire them by any means, not to store them, and not to transfer them directly or indirectly to anyone. At the time of Latvia's accession to the Ottawa Convention, there were no military, strategic, or security considerations that would have prevented such a step. However, the security situation in the Baltic region has changed, notes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Commenting on possible procurements of landmines, Defense Minister Andris Spruds previously stated that after withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, Latvia could acquire them from Poland and Finland or produce them in Latvia.
