Estonia presents instrument of withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention
Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
27.06.2025 | 20:26
Today 27 June in New York, Estonia presented the instruments of withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention to the United Nations. The withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction shall take effect after six months.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who submitted the draft law on Estonia's withdrawal, said that the withdrawal from the Convention stems from the security situation in our region, which has deteriorated due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and is based on compelling national security considerations.
"Lessons from Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine show that in order to better defend our country, we must not impose unilateral restrictions on armaments that the adversary does not observe. By leaving the Ottawa Convention, the Estonian Defence Forces will have greater flexibility in choosing the weapons systems, tools and solutions necessary to strengthen the country's defence capabilities," Tsahkna said.
According to the foreign minister, Estonia remains committed to ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians after withdrawing from the convention. Estonia will also continue supporting humanitarian demining and assistance projects for victims of armed conflicts.
The Ottawa Convention entered into force in 1999 and Estonia acceded to it in 2004. In addition to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland and Poland have also started the process of withdrawing from the Convention.
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