Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Nikos Christodoulides
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 11 October 2019 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Nikos Christodoulides, met today at OPCW headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General and the Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed progress in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Organisation’s activities to address current challenges in achieving the total and permanent elimination of chemical weapons, while promoting scientific advances for peaceful purposes.
Minister Christodoulides expressed: ”We remain committed to the mission and values of the OPCW and actively engaged in the Organisation’s activities; and we share the vision of a world free of chemical weapons.”
The Director-General stated: “Cyprus has my sincere gratitude for its commitment to the goals of the Convention and for its support of the Organisation. We look forward to our continued cooperation to ensure chemical weapons are eliminated and that chemicals are used for exclusively peaceful purposes.”
Background
Cyprus joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1998 and has been an active supporter of OPCW’s activities throughout the years.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 97% of all chemical weapon stockpiles declared by possessor States have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.