Members of Parliament from the Republic of Indonesia visit the OPCW

A delegation from the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Republic of Indonesia visited the OPCW Headquarters on Wednesday, 14 November 2007. The Indonesian Parliamentarians are Members of the Special Committee for the Draft Law of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which was established in March 2007.

In his welcoming address, the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, noted the strong commitment of Indonesia in support of the Convention and the work of the OPCW. He appreciated the fact that members of the Special Committee had decided to visit the OPCW for briefings and interaction to facilitate their important legislative work in the context of domestic implementation of the Convention. He underscored the importance of such legislation in all OPCW Member States as an essential condition to advance both the non-proliferation aspects of the Convention, as well as a contribution to the international community’s struggle against terrorism. The Director-General emphasised that effective enforcement of the Convention through legislative and administrative measures was necessary to prevent the misuse of toxic chemicals by individuals or groups.

Director-General Pfirter also drew attention to the vital role that parliamentarians across the world play in terms of adopting the necessary national measures to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Convention and, therefore, to its success. He added that interaction with Parliamentarians was crucial for the OPCW, as it enabled both sides to combine their efforts towards realising the ideals and objectives of the Convention.

The Head of the Parliamentarian Delegation from Indonesia, Honorable Mr Alvin Lie Ling Piao, in his remarks provided an overview of the status on the drafting of the national implementing legislation in the Indonesian Parliament, and reaffirmed the commitment of the Indonesian Parliament to approve this legislation expeditiously.

The Parliamentarians received detailed presentations from senior staff members of the OPCW on the main features of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the programme areas of the Organisation, including national implementation of the CWC, and the activities carried out in the areas of international cooperation and assistance.

The Parliamentarians were given a guided tour of the OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store in Rijswijk.

PR120/2007

Categories: Asia, Parliamentarians