OPCW briefs NATO Russia-Council on the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria
The Special Coordinator of the United Nations-Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ms. Sigrid Kaag briefed on Wednesday (20 November 2013) the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) on the state of play of the joint UN-OPCW mission to oversee the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities.
The members of the NATO-Russia Council had a constructive exchange of views with Ms. Kaag regarding progress and challenges in the process of eliminating chemical weapons stockpiles and dismantling production facilities in Syria.
NRC members welcomed the update provided by Ms. Kaag and expressed their full support to the important work of the UN-OPCW.
NRC nations outlined the financial, technical and in kind assistance they are providing on a bilateral basis to support the ongoing mission.
They thanked the UN-OPCW for the detailed and comprehensive briefing which has shown again how difficult and vital the mission’s task is.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen noted that the substantial UN-OPCW effort continues to require the international community’s full support and the Syrian authorities’ full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2118.
Mr. Fogh Rasmussen, as chairperson of the NATO-Russia Council, congratulated the OPCW on winning the Nobel Peace prize and wished the organization every success in the continuation of the important work it is overseeing in Syria.
The NATO-Russia Council will continue to follow developments.