By Daspina Hasanova
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 30. On June 27,
Lithuania officially submitted its withdrawal notice from the
Ottawa Convention to the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
However, the revocation will take effect six months from the
date of filing.
Earlier, Lithuanian National Defense Minister Dovil臈 艩akalien臈
stated that the country, together with other countries on NATO’s
front line.
鈥淲e have created a regional coalition that sends a clear and
unified message: NATO’s eastern border is one and indivisible, and
we will defend it together using all necessary means,鈥 she
Anti-personnel landmines, she noted, are an effective and
cost-efficient defensive tool. They can significantly impede the
movement of enemy infantry and help create robust, resilient
defense lines capable of halting incursions.
鈥淚n light of the increasingly unstable security environment, we
must consider every option that enhances our deterrence and defense
capabilities,鈥 艩akalien臈 said. 鈥淥ur armed forces must have the
flexibility and freedom to use all available tools to repel
aggression and protect the Alliance鈥檚 eastern flank.鈥
Lithuania’s decision comes amid growing concerns over regional
threats and the evolving character of warfare in Europe. While the
country is withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, the Ministry of
National Defence emphasized that Lithuania remains fully committed
to the principles of international humanitarian law.
This includes adherence to the Geneva Conventions and their
Additional Protocols, as well as the Convention on Certain
Conventional Weapons (CCW) and its protocols. Lithuania also
pledged to adopt clear rules and procedures for the responsible and
controlled use of anti-personnel mines, to minimize humanitarian
鈥淭he protection of civilians and compliance with humanitarian
law remain core priorities,鈥 the Ministry stressed. 鈥淟ithuania will
take all necessary steps to mitigate potential humanitarian impacts
associated with this decision.鈥