Outgoing Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas has called for a discussion on Lithuania’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits anti-personnel mines.
“A serious discussion on a possible return to anti-personnel landmines has started in Finland. This could relate to the Ottawa Convention and a possible discussion on withdrawing from it,” Kasčiūnas told reporters on Wednesday.
“I think we must start a discussion on withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention because anti-personnel mines are a very important capability, and I will soon propose initiating such a discussion,” he said.
According to the minister, military advice has been provided on this matter, indicating that Lithuania needs this capability.
Over 160 countries, including most Western nations, have signed the 1999 Ottawa Convention, which seeks to eliminate anti-personnel mines.
China, Russia, the United States, India, and Pakistan are not parties to this convention.
By signing the convention, countries commit not to use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, or transfer anti-personnel mines.
On July 18 this year, the Lithuanian parliament voted to denounce the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Lithuania submitted the withdrawal documents to the UN secretary-general in early September and will formally exit the convention next year.
From that point, the country will no longer be subject to restrictions on acquiring, transporting, and using cluster munitions.
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