On Thursday, the Sejm adopted a law aimed at suspending the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, signed in 1990 between NATO and the countries of Warsaw. They announced the suspension of the treaty in November last year. NATO countries are confronted with Russian armaments and aggressive policies.
On Wednesday, the government’s bill on amending the scope of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, signed in Paris on November 19, 1990, was considered by the Joint Parliamentary Committees on Foreign Affairs and National Defense; recommended that the Sejm adopt a law suspending the validity of the treaty without changes. MPs from KO, Polski 2050, PSL and Left agreed that the treaty should be suspended.
During the subsequent debate in the Sejm, PiS MPs asked why the project only provided for suspension, and not a complete denunciation of the treaty. Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski responded by pointing out that Poland wanted to end the treaty, but there was no agreement among NATO allies on this.
On Thursday, the bill was supported by 435 MPs, five of whom were against and none abstained.
The project was submitted to the Sejm after it was adopted in November last year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that, based on agreements with NATO allies, formal steps will be taken to suspend this treaty.
NATO responds to Russia’s move
The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was signed in 1990 between the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance and the countries of the then existing Warsaw Pact, including Poland. It was one of the symptoms of the end of the Cold War. Both blocs agreed to comply with restrictions on the number of military equipment (tanks, combat vehicles, aircraft) and ammunition stored in Europe.
It was hoped that quantitative restrictions on weapons and the provision of detailed information about the potential of the armed forces and the verification of this information would limit the possibility of carrying out an armed surprise attack and initiating large-scale operations. The parties to the treaty have committed, among other things, to the following: for the mutual exchange of information on armaments. The treaty entered into force in 1992.
In 2007, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a decree suspending Russia’s participation in the treaty; November 7 last year and announced that Russia had completely stopped recognizing the treaty.
In response, NATO member states also decided to suspend the treaty; The Polish Foreign Ministry subsequently announced that Poland will “take formal action to suspend the CFE Treaty in a comprehensive manner – taking into account all its provisions – and indefinitely.”
This means that the Republic of Poland will not be legally or practically obliged to comply with the provisions of the CFE Treaty, including restrictions regarding the Polish Armed Forces.
– we read in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As highlighted, Poland has complied with the obligations under the CFE Treaty since 1992, when this agreement entered into force and formed an important part of the security architecture in Europe.
Russia violated the letter and spirit of the Treaty by failing to implement its provisions for years and then initiating an unlawful, unprovoked war
– indicated the Ministry of Diplomacy.
In this situation, the interest of the security of the Republic of Poland requires further strengthening of defense and deterrence capabilities through consistent action in the national and alliance dimensions. At the same time, Poland does not rule out taking further steps under international law in the future, including denunciation of the CFE Treaty in conjunction with Russia’s denunciation of the CFE Treaty, if the security interests of the Republic of Poland so require .
– took note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
olnk/PAP
Source: wPolityce