Estonia Schemes to Amplify Security: Parliament Approves Departure from Landmine Accord
Estonia approves the decision to exit international landmine accords.
Connect Share Chat Mail Print Link Over Russia's menacing threats, Estonia's parliament has greenlighted its exit from the landmine pact. Estonia's Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, who presented the bill, stated on Wednesday, "This expansion dramatically boosts Estonia's capacity to safeguard its security."
"With Russia's hostilities as a lesson, it's evident that Estonia can't individually limit its weaponry arsenal," the minister elucidated. Such limitations would put Estonia at a disadvantage.
The treaty prohibits the employment, storage, manufacturing, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Over 160 nations and territories, such as Ukraine, have ratified the agreement. Russia and the U.S. are among the non-signatory nations.
Recently, the parliaments of Estonia's Baltic compatriots, Latvia and Lithuania, have also opted for secession from the treaty. Poland and Finland have also declared their intention to depart from the treaty following Russia's war against Ukraine. These countries share borders with Russia or its Kaliningrad enclave and feel directly exposed to Moscow's threats.
Human rights groups have assailed the states' decisions to part ways with the treaty.
Source: ntv.de [AFP]
Enrichment Observations:
- Security Drives Decision: The primary motivation behind Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland's plan to abandon or contemplate abandoning the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines, stems from security considerations due to Russia's aggression in Ukraine. This collective action represents a coordinated regional initiative aimed at fortifying defense capabilities in the face of an unstable and potentially hazardous security landscape.
- Security Priorities: The key motivations for withdrawal include security necessities to deter potential threats from Russia, regional cooperation in defense, lessons learned from Russia's actions in Ukraine, and the perceived need to reinforce security measures.
- Deterrence and Defense: The reintroduction of landmines might serve as a deterrent against possible Russian aggression. However, this strategy could also inflame tensions and trigger an arms race in Eastern Europe.
- Strategic Positioning: Leaving the Ottawa Convention could bolster these countries' strategic positions within NATO by showcasing their dedication to defense.
- International Relations: The decision may strain relations with Western European nations that prioritize arms control and humanitarian norms. It might also weaken global disarmament efforts, potentially setting a pattern for other countries to reassess their commitment to similar agreements.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The use of anti-personnel mines is debated due to their indiscriminate nature and the potential harm to civilians. Humanitarian organizations have voiced their opposition to the withdrawal, citing the risks of civilian casualties and post-conflict recovery challenges. However, these governments argue that national security concerns take precedence in the current geopolitical environment.
"In light of the security challenges posed by war-and-conflicts, such as Russia's war against Ukraine, several countries including Estonia have been reconsidering their commitment to the Ottawa Convention, an international treaty that bans employment, storage, manufacturing, and transfer of anti-personnel mines due to their increased need for employment policies focused on defense and security."
"As the politics surrounding the use of landmines for national security purposes becomes a topic of general news, Estonia's decision to withdraw from the treaty can be seen as part of a larger Community policy aimed at amplifying the country's defense capabilities in response to the ongoing threats in the region."
