Inara Merniace, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, explained that this decision gives Latvian armed forces more flexibility in defending the country in the event of a military threat. She emphasized that Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland also announced the desire to withdraw from the Convention.
The Latvian authorities point to the regional agreement concluded in March by the Baltic States and Poland, aimed at strengthening borders. The Finnish government also announced the resignation from the treaty, after in 2022 a discussion began about the restoration of anti -personnel mines, considering that Russia, which is not a party to the treaty, uses them in the war in Ukraine.
Changing the situation in the region – Latvia explains the decision
The Latvian government emphasized that changes in security situations in the region, especially after a Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022, prompted him to make this decision. Russia, violating the sovereignty of Ukraine, showed disrespect for international law.
Latvia will terminate the convention within six months after submitting documents to the UN.
The Ottawska Convention from 1997, which prohibits the use, production, storage and transfer of anti -personnel mines, was ratified by over 160 countries, with the exception of US, Russia, China and several other countries.
