2024-07-19 10:27:19
“It is regrettable that Lithuania (…) decided to withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Although the security situation in Europe has changed due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, it is very important that states adhere to their obligations to prohibit the use, stockpiling and transfer of this type of weapons,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
“We understand Lithuania’s concerns, but disarmament conventions are not just obligations that apply in peacetime. They are even more important when countries are at war. The way of warfare is important. Therefore, we must maintain international rules of war, norms and obligations, including when the security situation changes. It reminds us of the great suffering of the people of Ukraine and the Gaza Strip,” noted EB Eide.
It was reported on Thursday that the Seimas decided to denounce the Oslo Convention, which prohibits the use of cluster ammunition. After Lithuania withdraws from this international agreement, there are no restrictions on purchasing, stockpiling, and in case of war, if necessary, using cluster munitions. Lithuania ratified the Oslo Convention in 2010.
The latest decision of the Seimas was also criticized by the human rights organization Amnesty International.
2024-07-19 10:27:19