PR16: Malaysia Ratifies and The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Accedes to the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Hague, 20 April 2000			Number 16

Press Release

Malaysia Ratifies and The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Accedes to the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention on 20 April 2000. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will become the 134th State Party to the Convention on 20 May 2000, thirty days after depositing its instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Malaysia ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention on 20 April 2000. Malaysia will become the 135th State Party to the Convention on 20 May 2000, thirty days after depositing its instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The number of signatory states, i.e., those that have signed the Convention, but which have yet to ratify it, currently stands at 37.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) came into existence on 29 April 1997. The verification provisions of the Convention consist of a combination of detailed declaration requirements and routine inspections of declared stocks of chemical weapons and chemical industry facilities, as well as of short-notice challenge inspections at any location under the jurisdiction or control of any State Party.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) came into existence on 29 April 1997. Its deed of foundation—the Chemical Weapons Convention—aims to achieve four principal objectives: the elimination of chemical weapons and of the capacity to develop them, the verification of non-proliferation, international assistance and protection in the event of the use or threat of use of chemical weapons, and international cooperation and assistance in the peaceful use of chemistry.

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