European Union Supports OPCW; Third Joint Action Adopted: EUR 1.7 mln Granted to OPCW

On Monday, 16 April 2007, the Permanent Representatives to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) of Finland, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia jointly submitted the European Union’s 2007 Joint Action agreement in support of OPCW activities to the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter.

Flag of the European Union

The Joint Action entered into force on the day of its adoption by the Council of the European Union, 19 March 2007, and will continue over a period of 18 months. The 2007 EU Joint Action will provide the OPCW EUR 1,700,000 in project funding.

On behalf of the Presidency of the European Union, the German Permanent Representative to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Alexander Petri stated that the Joint Action of the European Union in support of OPCW activities is one of the most prominent elements of the EU’s continuous engagement with the Organisation. He noted that it has been developed in the framework of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Ambassador Petri stressed that in fulfilling its responsibility to the international community, the EU plays an active and visible role in supporting the OPCW to achieve the disarmament and non-proliferation goals of the CWC.

On behalf of the OPCW, Director-General Pfirter expressed his appreciation for the European Union’s continuing and generous support through the renewed adoption of a Joint Action that is designed to help the OPCW deliver the support required to ensure that all nations join and fully implement the chemical weapons ban. He underscored the significance of the Joint Action that grants the OPCW greater operational capacity to carry out its mission.

The European Union’s Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction underlines the crucial role of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in creating a world free of chemical weapons. In support of the EU Strategy, the EU has committed itself to working towards universal adherence to key disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, including the CWC.

The 2007 EU Joint Action is the third consecutive voluntary contribution by the EU to the OPCW. It was developed under the Finnish Presidency of the European Union in consultation with the OPCW Technical Secretariat and will be implemented during the German, Portuguese and Slovenian EU Presidencies. The Joint Action of comprises results-driven projects to promote the universality of the CWC, support the CWC’s full and effective national implementation, and enhance international cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry.

PR27 / 2007

Categories: Disarmament, International Cooperation, National implementation, Non-proliferation of chemical weapons, Outreach