OPCW Director-General Visits Croatia; Meets President Mesić

On 26 February 2007, the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, paid an official visit to the Republic of Croatia and met the Croatian President, H.E. Mr. Stjepan Mesić.

In their meeting, President Mesić reaffirmed Croatia’s firm and unwavering support for the OPCW in its mission to achieve the complete elimination of chemical weapons. He also reiterated his Government’s continuing commitment to the full implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), a non-discriminatory multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaty that enhances global peace and security.

Director-General Pfirter extended his thanks to President Mesić for the generous support Croatia provides to the OPCW and commended the Croatian Government’s invaluable contribution towards the achievement of the CWC’s objectives.

In his briefing, Director-General Pfirter provided President Mesić an overview of the CWC’s global implementation by the 181 OPCW Member States in their common effort to establish a world free of chemical weapons. He emphasized that the global chemical weapons ban will reach its full potential to protect the vulnerable when every State joins the Convention and is capable of implementing the treaty in full and effectively.

During his official visit, Director-General Pfirter had the opportunity to meet the Speaker of the Parliament, H.E. Mr Vladimir Seks and the Minister for Education, Science and Sport, H.E. Mr Dragan Primorac.

In his encounter with the Minister of Economy, Labour, and Entrepreneurship

—H.E. Minister Branko Vukelić— Director-General Pfirter discussed the CWC’s national implementation, including the regulation of international transfers of certain chemicals as well as the OPCW’s programme to deliver assistance and protection should any Member State be attacked or threatened by chemical weapons.

Together with the President of the Croatian OPCW National Authority

—H.E. Ambassador Ana Marija Bešker— Director-General Pfirter visited the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre, which cooperates with the OPCW in organising workshops to build capacity in the field of assistance and protection, as well as national implementation.

In the course of the visit Director-General Pfirter also addressed the 20th Jubilee of the Croatian Chemists and Chemical Engineers Association.

PR11 / 2007

Categories: Eastern Europe, Outreach