The Hague, 16 September 1997
Number 15
 
Press Release

Russian Parliamentarians visit the OPCW Secretariat

A delegation from the State Duma of the Russian Federation, headed by Mr. Vladimir P. Lukin, visited the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on 10 September 1997 and held talks with the Director-General, Mr José Bustani. The delegation updated the Director-General on the progress of ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the Duma. The Director-General then briefed the members of the delegation on the status of implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The delegation also visited the Aegon Building - the offices of the Verification Division and the Inspectorate of the Organisation - to meet the headquarters staff and inspectors of the Technical Secretariat.


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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