OPCW Director–General Visits Colombia and Meets President Uribe

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, paid an official visit to the Republic of Colombia on 20 April 2005. During his visit, the Director-General met the President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. Alvaro Uribe Vélez. In recognition of the Director-General’s contribution towards the attainment of a universal chemical weapons ban, President Uribe awarded Ambassador Pfirter the National Order of Merit in the Great Cross.

President Uribe reiterated Colombia’s strong support for the aims of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), its unwavering resolve to achieve the Convention’s universal and effective application and its firm support for the Organisation.

On behalf of the Organisation, Director-General Pfirter thanked the President and expressed his gratitude for Colombia’s active cooperation in support of the Convention’s full implementation, noting that Colombia is graciously hosting the Sixth Meeting of Latin American and Caribbean CWC National Authorities, taking place in Cartagena, Colombia on 21 and 22 April 2005.

In the course of his official visit, Ambassador Pfirter also met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ms Carolina Barco; the Minister of Defence, H.E. Mr Jorge Alberto Uribe; the President of the Congress of the Republic, H.E. Mr Luis Humberto Gómez Gallo; the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, H.E. Mr Manuel Ramiro Velásquez; and the Vice-Minister of Multilateral Affairs, H.E. Dr Jaime Girón.

In his discussions with Foreign Minister Barco and senior officials of the Colombian Government, the Director-General reviewed the Convention’s implementation within the region and the progress towards achieving the goals of the OPCW Action Plans on National Implementation and Universality.

Foreign Minister Barco confirmed Colombia’s strong support for the Organisation and in particular Colombia’s firm resolve to support the effort to attain universal membership and implementation of the Convention.

The Foreign Policy and Defence Committee of the Congress of the Republic invited the Director-General to address the Committee. Ambassador Pfirter provided an overview of a range of issues related to the Convention’s implementation. The Colombian Senators assured the Director-General of their willingness to consider, in conjunction with the Executive Branch, and adopt in the shortest possible time the remaining elements of the national legislation, required to complete the country’s obligations under Art VII of the CWC.

The Director-General also held consultations with the Colombian National Industry Association (ANDI) and reviewed the current status of the implementation of the CWC in Colombia. The senior officials representing ANDI expressed their Association’s commitment to the safe use of chemical science and technology, in particular in the framework of the Responsible Care® Programme, which the Colombian chemical industry applies since 1994.

Following these meetings, Director-General Pfirter also addressed the Diplomatic Academy.

10/2005

Categories: Latin America and the Caribbean, Outreach