Statement by the Delegation of Denmark at the Conference of the States Parties to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe

Vienna 29-30 June 2023

As delivered by Jørgen Gammelgaard, Special Representative for Euro-Atlantic Security, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson,

Denmark attaches great importance to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty). The Treaty has long been a cornerstone of the European security architecture and benefited all States Parties equally and substantively.

Denmark condemns Russia’s decision to withdraw from the CFE Treaty. This is yet another step towards isolation for Russia as it moves away from the rules-based European security order.

 

Mr. Chairperson,

Sadly, this move does not come as a surprise. Russia suspended its implementation of the Treaty in 2007 with no proper legal basis. This resulted in continued non-compliance with numerous Treaty provisions.

Moreover, in stark contradiction to the objectives of the CFE Treaty, Russia maintains troops on Georgian and Moldovan territory without the host countries’ consent. In 2014, Russia illegally annexed Crimea while launching at the same time a destabilizing military intervention in eastern Ukraine. And since 24 February 2022 Russia has been waging a full‑scale illegal war of aggression against Ukraine to redraw borders by force and to promote a security order in Europe based on “spheres of interest”.

 

Mr. Chairperson,

Russia bears full responsibility for the deterioration of co‑operation between the States Parties. It is Russia that do not comply with commitments it had voluntarily undertaken, and it is Russia that started a war of aggression against Ukraine in violation of the CFE Treaty and entirely at odds with the Treaty’s spirit and objectives.

 

Mr. Chairperson,

Denmark advocates and will continue to advocate a rules-based and co‑operative approach to security in Europe. We strongly support the CFE Treaty and will continue to live up to our obligations. Let me conclude by calling upon Russia to reverse its decision, comply with its obligations under the CFE Treaty and adopt a responsible approach to European security through international arms control and transparency instead of the unrestrained wielding of military power that we are currently witnessing.

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.