In Slovakia and in Slovenia, the Chemical Weapons Convention gets full support

Mr José M. Bustani, the Director-General of the OPCW, concluded two official visits to the Slovak Republic (29 June - 1 July) and the Republic of Slovenia (1 - 3 July). Both visits took place in a very cooperative atmosphere which emphasised the importance attached by those two countries to the Chemical Weapons Convention and to its universal implementation.

In Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic, Mr Bustani met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Zdenka Kramplova, who expressed her country's support for the OPCW as a means of promoting peace and security in all regions of the world. Mr Bustani conveyed appreciation for the commitment of the Government of the Slovak Republic to the Convention, as well as for the prompt establishment in that state of a National Authority which, under the aegis of the Ministry of Economics, liaises effectively with the OPCW.

In a subsequent meeting, the Minister of Economics, Mr Milan Cagala, offered concrete technical assistance to the OPCW in the form of a mobile chemical laboratory. Other forms of assistance would also be made available through the OPCW to other Member States in cases of the use or threat of use of chemical weapons which fall within the ambit of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Mr Bustani was shown the Nitra laboratory whose advanced technology is of potential relevance to the OPCW' s international cooperation programme. Separate meetings were also held at the Parliament of the Slovak Republic with the Deputy Chairman of the National Council, Mr Marian Andel, accompanied by officials from the Centre for Disarmament Treaties Verification.

In Ljubljana, the capital of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Bustani was received by the President of the Republic, Mr Milan Kucan, who was particularly interested in learning about the verification and inspection activities of the OPCW, and who stated that, although Slovenia was not a possessor of chemical weapons, it was concerned about the possible existence of those weapons in the region.

Mr Bustani also met with the Minister of Health, Dr Marjan Jereb, whose Ministry is responsible for the National Authority which implements the Convention in Slovenia. Extensive talks took place between Mr Bustani and the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Boris Frlec, who was briefed on current OPCW activities, as well as on the prospects for a future enlargement of the Convention’s regime to encompass more states in Central Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Dr Frlec expressed his firm belief that the Chemical Weapons Convention will make this world a safer place in which to live. In a separate meeting the Minister of Defence, Mr Alojz Krapez, stressed the importance for his country of NATO membership and of participation in other multilateral organisations, and reiterated his support for the objectives of the OPCW.

Other highlights of Mr Bustani's visit to Slovenia included talks with the Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, Mr Jelko Kacin, with the Director of the Administration of Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Mr Bojan Usenicnic, and with the Head of the Multilateral Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Roman Kirn. Throughout his visit in Slovenia, Mr Bustani was accompanied by Dr Marta Ciraj, the State Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health, which is responsible for the National Authority of the Republic of Slovenia.

15/1998

Categories: Eastern Europe, Outreach