Cuban Foreign Minister Congratulates the OPCW on its Tenth Anniversary

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Entry into Force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the founding of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba , H.E. Mr Felipe Perez Roque, sent a congratulatory message to the OPCW and its Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter.

Foreign Minister Roque in his message conveyed that “the ten years during which the CWC has been applied and the OPCW has functioned have demonstrated that only multilateralism, with strict adherence to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the UN and to international law, are able to guarantee success in achieving a vital and noble objective such as the prohibition and elimination from the planet of all weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons.”

Foreign Minister Roque also noted in his message that “throughout these years, Cuba has complied fully with its obligations under the Convention, has worked systematically for the application of the CWC within its national territory, and has cooperated with other States upon their request. Allow me to repeat the firm commitment of Cuba to the CWC and its determination to ensure that all its provisions are complied with”.

In conclusion, Foreign Minister Roque stated that “Cuba is convinced that it is absolutely necessary to ensure full application of the CWC throughout the world, in a manner that is non-discriminatory, as this is the only way to achieve the objectives of the same.

PR95 / 2007