The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Norway condemned Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty (OON). RIA Novosti reported this on Saturday, January 16, with reference to Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Sereide
The head of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said that she was disappointed with Russia’s decision to launch the procedure for withdrawing from the treaty, which is an important contribution to maintaining the security of all countries, and expressed concern about the destruction of arms control mechanisms.
The Minister said that her country intends, together with colleagues from other countries participating in the treaty, to discuss the possibility of preserving the OST. She recalled that the existing agreements allowed observation flights, which contributed to transparency in military activities and building confidence between countries.
Earlier, on January 16, it was reported that France expressed regret over Russia’s decision to begin the process of withdrawing from the Open Skies Treaty (OON), which allows reconnaissance flights of the participating countries over each other’s territory. The French Foreign Ministry expressed hope that Russia “will reconsider its decision.”
On January 15, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country is starting procedures to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, which allows reconnaissance flights of the participating countries over each other’s territory.
On November 22 last year, the United States withdrew from the agreement. The American side explained its position by the fact that Moscow allegedly does not comply with the clauses of the treaty. The White House also said that during flights over the United States, Russia monitored the whereabouts of US President Donald Trump. Moscow denies Washington’s accusations.
The Open Skies Treaty was signed in 1992. According to the document, the participating countries could conduct reconnaissance flights over each other’s territory in order to monitor military activities and compliance with existing treaties in the field of arms control.