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Belarus' FM comments on plans of Poland, Baltic states to withdraw from landmine convention

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LOGOISK DISTRICT, 22 March (BelTA) - Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov commented on the plans of Poland and the Baltic states to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, BelTA learned.

“Twenty 20 years ago, when these states joined the Ottawa Convention (the internet remembers everything), politicians of these states made a great many statements about the importance to follow the highest humanistic standards, fully discontinue anti-personnel mines, disarm themselves, help others, that that was some kind of the highest humane standard. Lithuania, through relevant programs together with Canada, even helped Belarus to destroy our stockpiles of mines. Polish politicians said that if we did not join the convention, the whole world would see us in a very bad light,” the minister said.

He pointed out that these countries are now planting mines and warned them of the consequences for themselves. “If you plant a mine, you should expect casualties among either wildlife, or migrants, or refugees, or even local populations. This is the 'humanistic' nature of these governments today,” Maksim Ryzhenkov noted.

The minister said that Belarus should be on guard but not turn to militarized approaches following the example of the same countries. “We will not succeed in this arms race. But we are undertaking some steps as part of the cooperation with Russia, our closest partner, ally, on nuclear deterrence, deterrence with the use of ballistic weapons. This is much cheaper and more effective,” the foreign minister said.

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