Estonia informed the UN about its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines

Estonia has submitted to the United Nations (UN) in New York a letter of withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. This was reported on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 27.

It is noted that the withdrawal from the convention is due to the security situation in the country.

"By withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, the Estonian Defense Forces will have greater flexibility in choosing weapons systems, tools and solutions necessary to strengthen the country's defense capability," said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.

According to him, after withdrawing from the convention, Tallinn remains committed to ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of citizens. He stressed that Estonia, among other things, will continue to support humanitarian demining and assistance projects for victims of armed conflicts.

According to the publication, the law on withdrawal from the convention will enter into force in six months.

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On June 6, the Estonian parliament passed a law on the country's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention. Later, on June 13, the decision of the parliament was approved by the head of state Alar Karis.

Prior to that, on April 24, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova linked the Baltic states' statements about withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention with benefits for NATO. According to her, these states are aimed at developing cooperation with manufacturers of antipersonnel mines from the United States.