OPCW Director-General in Syria to discuss chemical weapons elimination

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, recently visited Damascus to meet with Syria’s interim President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and interim Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. This visit saw the resumption of relations between the OPCW Technical Secretariat and Syria, after a period of stagnation under the previous authorities that had lasted for eleven years. During the meeting, the two sides discussed Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the role and mandate of the OPCW, and the type of support the Technical Secretariat can provide to the Syrian authorities to eliminate the remnants of the country’s chemical weapons programme. Ambassador Arias presented the Secretariat’s 9-point action plan for Syria with the aim of facilitating the exercise of its responsibilities to regain its rights with the OPCW. He also emphasised the OPCW’s readiness to support Syria in ensuring its compliance with its obligations under the CWC. By taking these measures, the transitional authorities will be able to safeguard the Syrian people, hold accountable any identified perpetrators of chemical weapons use, and enhance the country’s standing as a reliable and trusted member of the international community.