The Hague, 14 November 2003

Foreign Minister of Australia, H.E. Mr Alexander Downer, Visits the OPCW

On Thursday, 13 November 2003, the Foreign Minister of Australia, H.E. Mr Alexander Downer, visited the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) headquarters and met with its Director-General, H.E. Mr Rogelio Pfirter.

H.E. Mr Downer received a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, including: the status of the destruction of chemical weapons, the destruction or conversion of chemical weapons production facilities, as well as the on-going verification at chemical weapons related and industrial sites, in addition to a summary of the Organisation’s programme delivery in the areas of assistance and protection and international cooperation in the field of the peaceful uses of chemistry.

H.E. Mr Downer reiterated his country’s strong political commitment in supporting the full and effective implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention. He noted that areas of primary concern for Australia are to be assured that all Member States honour their commitments as stipulated by the Convention, as well as achieving universal membership in the Convention. Mr Downer commended the OPCW’s performance in its mission of eliminating chemical weapons, countering their proliferation and developing a response to the threat of chemical terrorism.

Mr Pfirter emphasized the excellent relationship between Australia and the Organisation and reaffirmed the need to achieve full and effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. He recalled Australia’s contribution to the successful conclusion of the negotiations of the Convention and the strong support Australia has given to the Organisation since its inception. In particular, Mr Pfirter stressed the urgent priority with which Member States should establish the national measures to ensure that the chemical weapons ban can effectively hinder both chemical terrorism and proliferation, as well as providing for assistance and protection against the use, or threat of use, of chemical weapons, while promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry.

The Chemical Weapons Convention, banning chemical weapons, entered into force in 1997 and mandated the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to eliminate chemical weapons forever, to verify the timely destruction of all declared chemical weapons, to monitor the non-diversion of dual-use chemicals, to facilitate the mutual assistance and protection afforded to all Member States, if any Member State is threatened by or attacked with chemical weapons, as well as to promote the peaceful uses of chemistry.