The Hague, 13 July 2004

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Visits the OPCW

H.E. Mr Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, visited the headquarters of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague on 1 July 2004. OPCW Director-General, Mr Rogelio Pfirter, briefed Mr Gryshchenko on the status of the Chemical Weapons Convention’s (CWC) implementation.

In their meeting, H.E. Mr Gryshchenko and Director-General Pfirter discussed the threat of chemical terrorism, recognizing the role of the Organisation in anti-terrorism through universal adherence to the Convention.

Mr Gryshchenko reaffirmed his Government’s strong commitment to the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as its resolve to support the OPCW’s mission of providing assistance and protection.

Director-General Pfirter recognized the excellent cooperation between the Organisation and the Ukrainian Government and expressed his appreciation for the support provided by Ukraine, looking forward to the Ukrainian Government’s continuing, active involvement in the work of the Organisation.

In 2005, Ukraine will be hosting a large-scale exercise in the delivery of assistance and protection against chemical weapons. Under the CWC, all State Parties enjoy the right to request the assistance and protection of their fellow States should such a threat exist, or should any State Party suffer such an attack. The Member States conduct exercises to be able to effectively deliver such assistance upon request.