Draft law (642 SE) for withdrawing from the convention prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and requiring their destruction – first reading
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Date: 2025-05-21 19:09
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 33
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 53m
AI Summaries: 33/33 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda concerns the first reading review of draft law 642 regarding withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention (the international treaty prohibiting landmines). The draft law's initiator is the Republic of Estonia’s Government, and the leading presenter is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna. Based on the changed security situation and Russia's aggression in Ukraine, a decision is presented to the Riigikogu (Parliament) which expands the flexibility of the Estonian Defence Forces and allows for the use and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines, if necessary, also in defense and crisis regimes. At the same time, it is emphasized that Estonia will continue to comply with international humanitarian law and apply other international norms. A diverse international notification and cooperation is proposed with neighboring countries Latvia and Lithuania regarding the procedure for withdrawing from the convention and notifying the depositary states.
Several representatives from various factions, including EKRE, the Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party, and others, reflect on the debate, with their speeches addressing the decision's historical context, the needs of national defense, and the legal and international consequences. Notably, it is emphasized that the withdrawal occurs primarily due to a deterioration in the security situation and that the decision to withdraw from the convention should be made during peacetime, but its entry into force depends on the development of the situation and the completion of a six-month notification period.
Decisions Made 3
The Defence Committee unanimously decided to submit the bill, amended in the first reading, to the Riigikogu for discussion, and to add the note "and was opened for signature in Ottawa" at the end during the process of making corrections.
The Defence Committee decided to add the bill under discussion to the agenda of the Riigikogu's May 22nd sitting and to definitively conclude the bill's first reading.
The Defence Committee set the deadline for submitting amendments as May 30th at 10 a.m., and plans to discuss them and agree on a suitable schedule with the Presidium of the Riigikogu.
Most Active Speaker
Rene Kokk (EKRE) – center-right/right-wing position; he spoke as the most active spokesperson in negotiations and in raising questions regarding the bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Today, under the sixth item on the agenda, we will consider the first reading of Draft Act 642, initiated by the government, concerning withdrawal from the convention. This draft act relates to the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, as well as their destruction. The first presenter will be Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
The objective of the draft legislation currently before the Riigikogu is to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines in order to increase the flexibility of the Estonian Defence Forces in selecting weapon systems, given the deteriorating security situation. This is being done while maintaining adherence to international humanitarian law and supporting demining projects, and coordinating the submission of the letters of withdrawal with Latvia and Lithuania. However, the withdrawal will only enter into force during peacetime, six months after the corresponding notification is issued.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanks [the previous speaker] and invites René Kokk to ask his question.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk points out that EKRE already submitted the same proposal back in 2023, and asks how the discussion on the matter proceeded within the government. He assures that EKRE will definitely support the current draft legislation.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
He said that Estonia and other regional allies have withdrawn from the convention, and stressed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and security, as well as the joint support of all factions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech contains only a request to call Helir-Valdor Seeder.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder recalls the alignment of the 2004 convention as a short-sighted decision, noting that upon its adoption, Isamaa was the only party that voted against it, emphasizing the long-term perspective. Over the past 20 years, there has been a plan to withdraw from the agreement. He raises the question of whether that decision was a mistake at the time and what lessons can be learned from it, especially in the context of security, where crises must be prepared for during peacetime, and decisions should not be made short-sightedly.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The brief speech emphasizes that it is your time.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Estonia's accession cannot be considered a mistake, but due to Russia's aggression, there is a need for stronger defense and the right for the defense forces to use the necessary means, which the draft bill would enable, and therefore he called for its support.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Jaanus Karilaid to speak.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid asks how long the replenishment of anti-personnel mine stocks will take, what the estimated cost for 2026 would be, and who the strategic partners in restoring these stocks would be.
Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
AI Summary
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that he is addressing the matters concerning the treaty framework and the notification of allies, and that answers to specific questions will be directed to the Commander of the Defence Forces, because should Estonia withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, the Defence Forces will manage potential deployments and stockpiles in accordance with the Commander of the Defence Forces' directive.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Thank you, there are no further questions, and next, the Chairman of the National Defence Committee, Kalev Stoicescu, is invited to present the discussion to the Lead Committee.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The National Defence Committee unanimously decided to submit Bill 642 to the Riigikogu for its first reading in an amended form. The bill proposes Estonia's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention to increase the flexibility of the Defence Forces concerning the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. This move also follows the steps taken by Latvia and Lithuania, and notification will be made through the depositary of the States Parties, namely the UN Secretary-General.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanks the speaker and opens the floor for questions, asking Andre Hanimägi to take the stand.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He is asking the commission or an expert for examples of what it means that Ukraine is a member of the Ottawa Convention and Russia is not, and what this has meant in practice on the battlefield.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu stated that during the committee's processing of this specific draft bill, the issue of using anti-personnel mines on the battlefield (including in Ukraine), as well as Estonia’s potential to acquire and use them after withdrawing from the convention, was definitely not discussed, and that topic remains outside the scope of this discussion.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He recalls the 2004 debate, emphasizes that the accession at that time was not done reluctantly, and notes that the coalition and the majority of the opposition supported the convention, and asks on what grounds such an objection is being raised now.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller called upon Helir-Valdor Seeder to speak.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He explains that the decision took a long time, and without that delay, we would have joined in 1997, but we ended up doing it seven years later.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller concluded the round of questions and announced that the deadline for amendments is May 30th, not May 13th.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu apologized.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller offered his thanks and announced that they would now proceed to the negotiations, where the factions would be given the floor. Henn Põlluaas represents the Isamaa faction based on authorization, and the speaker requested three minutes of additional time.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas claims that Estonia must withdraw from the Ottawa Convention and reinstate the use of anti-personnel landmines, arguing that landmines are a cheap, highly effective defense and essential national defense tools against Russian aggression.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Next, Andre Hanimägi, authorized by the Social Democratic Party Faction, is invited to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The report explains that Estonia is considering withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention because, given the current security situation, anti-personnel mines are a cheap and effective way to restrict the movement of the adversary and protect the country's independence. While the country simultaneously seeks to preserve humanitarian values, this position is also shared by Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, and the social democrats support the draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Rene Kokk represents the EKRE parliamentary group.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk states that while today's discussion focuses on the bill and withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, the option of using anti-personnel mines is also crucial. This capability helps slow down enemy movement and strengthen defensive positions, is relatively cheap and easy to operate, and highlights the need for such a tool for Estonia as a small country, despite previous disagreements on the matter.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller requests two additional minutes.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk emphasizes the deterrent effect of owning and, when necessary, deploying anti-personnel mines during crises, stressing that the enemy must be aware of this capability. He strongly urges support for the draft legislation, while simultaneously assuring that defense forces will use these mines strictly within the framework of international law and allied cooperation. He adds that Ukraine has joined the Ottawa Convention, and their methods should therefore not be frowned upon.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanked him and confirmed that Alar Laneman is representing the Reform Party faction under mandate, and requested three additional minutes.
Alar Laneman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Alar Laneman emphasizes that Estonia will utilize every means available in responding to an existential threat, and that the use of landmines must be carried out in a highly responsible and planned manner to protect border areas and critical infrastructure. However, he stresses that the agreement does not guarantee the protection of civilians, and therefore, a decisive action necessary for national defense is required.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Since there are no further requests to speak, I close the debate, and the first reading of Draft Bill 642 is concluded. The deadline for submitting amendments is May 30th at 10:00 AM, and we have completed the sixth item on the agenda.