Military anti-mobility measures are planned in all three Baltic countries - Spruds

RIGA - Military anti-mobility measures are currently being planned in all the Baltic States, and the public will be informed about the protection of the eastern Baltic border on Friday after a meeting of the defense ministers of all three countries, Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) told LETA through his advisor Ilze Maskalane.

According to Spruds, anti-tank mines and anti-personnel mines are an important part of Latvia's defense capabilities and are already in the armament of the National Armed Forces (NAF). The NAF is currently working on a detailed military reinforcement and anti-mobility plan for the eastern border, which will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers by the end of the month. It will include ways to ensure national defense and deter the enemy by various means.

The Ottawa Convention prohibits the use, possession, manufacture, import and export of anti-personnel mines designed to explode when approached or handled by a person. However, anti-tank mines and remotely-guided anti-personnel mines are not prohibited by the Ottawa Convention.

"The issue of the Ottawa Convention is both military and political. As Minister of Defense, the assessment of the NAF is important to me. The NAF has been tasked to prepare such an assessment and we will know the results in the near future," the Minister stressed.

The withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention is also a political decision with potential consequences in regards to the position of our allies, Spruds pointed out.

On Thursday and Friday, a meeting of the Baltic Defense Ministers' Committee will take place in Riga, with the participation of Spruds, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas and Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.

During the meeting, the Defence Ministers will discuss regional security issues and mutual cooperation in strengthening the combat capabilities of the armed forces and joint Baltic defence procurement. Strengthening the defence of the external borders of NATO and the European Union will also be on the Ministers' agenda.

A ministerial press conference is scheduled for Friday at the Ministry of Defense.