Eastern European Defence: Farewell to the Ban on Mines
World - Security on Europe's eastern border is undergoing a new phase of strategic redefinition. The defence ministers of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia jointly announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Conventionthe 1997 international treaty banning the production, stockpiling, sale and use of anti-personnel mines. The decision, formalised in a joint declaration, will now have to be submitted to the individual national parliaments for approval.
A move that, if confirmed, would represent a significant shift in the security policy of the four countries. Weighing in, according to the ministers, is the deteriorating security situation in the Baltic region and along the eastern borders of the Atlantic Alliance. 'Since the ratification of the Convention banning anti-personnel mines,' reads the official note, 'the security situation in our region has fundamentally deteriorated'. The signatory countries cite in particular 'Russia's aggression and its continued threat to the Euro-Atlantic community' as the motivation behind the review of their defence choices.
The choice after leaving the Oslo Convention
This is not the first time that these states have called into question multilateral arms agreements. Lithuania, in fact, recently abandoned the Oslo Conventionbanning the use of cluster bombs, signalling an increasing priority given to strengthening territorial defences.
"Flexibility and freedom of choice in the adoption of new offensive and defensive systems," the ministers said, "are today indispensable elements in ensuring the security of NATO's vulnerable eastern side. In the statement, the Defence Ministers of Estonia (Hanno Pevkur), Latvia (Andris Sprūds), Lithuania (Dovilė Šakalienė) and Poland (Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz) emphasise that while withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, their countries will continue to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians during armed conflicts.
Pressure from the eastern front
The war in Ukraine and the escalation of tensions with Russia have reopened the debate on the need for Eastern European countries to take extraordinary defence measures. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, earlier this month, had already announced the start of procedures for Poland's exit from the Ottawa Treaty. Finland, although not a signatory to today's declaration, has also confirmed that it is considering a similar step.
However, Hanno Pevkur made it clear that there are currently no plans to develop, stockpile or use anti-personnel mines, while Latvia's Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Kaspars Pudāns, reiterated that Riga's priorities remain focused on anti-tank mines and the availability of artillery shells.
A blow to the Ottawa Treaty
The joint withdrawal of Poland and the Baltic States would represent a severe blow to the Ottawa Conventionalready under pressure from ongoing conflicts and the increasing militarisation of border areas. Signed in 1997, the Convention aimed to ban anti-personnel mines worldwide and has so far been joined by more than 160 countries.
However, twelve states - including United States, China and Russia - have never ratified the agreement or officially renounced the possibility of manufacturing anti-personnel mines. Added to this is the fact that 16 countries worldwide continue to produce cluster bombsweapons banned by the 2008 Oslo Convention, but still considered strategic in many conflict scenarios.
Now the exit of four strategic nations, placed on the most delicate front of the Atlantic Alliance, risks further undermining the solidity of international agreements on disarmament and reopening the question of the use of controversial weapons systems, but considered by some governments as essential for the defence of their territories.
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
