By Ahmet Gencturk
ATHENS (AA) - The Lithuanian parliament on Thursday approved withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of landmines.
The motion passed with 107 votes in favor and none against, with only three lawmakers abstaining from voting, according to the state-run LRT public broadcaster.
Having previously criticized the government's motion, several members of the far-right LVZS Nemunas Dawn political group did not vote, despite being present in parliament, it noted.
Citing threats from Russia and Belarus, Lithuania's military and political leadership have long advocated for the use of mines to act as a deterrent, and that withdrawing from the convention would allow troops to be trained.
In March, the defense ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland issued a joint statement urging their countries to withdraw from the treaty. Later, Finland joined them.