OPCW Director-General Visits Italy and Signs Agreements

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, paid an official visit to the Italian Republic from 2 to 3 November 2004 . During his visit, Director-General Rogelio Pfirter and the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Alfredo Luigi Mantica, signed several important agreements on behalf of the OPCW and the Italian Republic , respectively, to facilitate the effective verification of certain industrial facilities. The agreements entered into force immediately upon signature.

Upon the conclusion of the agreements, Undersecretary Mantica highlighted the importance of the CWC, “The Italian Government wishes to reaffirm its strong support for the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention and will maintain its unwavering resolve to achieve the Convention's universal and effective application. The Facility Agreements that have now entered into force serve to strengthen the Convention and to ensure the highest level of effectiveness in industrial verification, which directly benefits our collective security . ”

Director-General Pfirter thanked the Italian Government on behalf of the Organisation for its exemplary cooperation, underscoring the role of chemical industry in assuring the effectiveness of the chemical weapons ban and noting, “Chemical industry is an essential partner in preventing the spread of chemical weapons and their ultimate elimination. Industry's continuing firm commitment to this effort is crucial to the on-going success of the chemical weapons ban”.

In his meeting with the Undersecretary for Productive Activities, H.E. Mr Giovanni Dell'Elce, as well as with representatives of the Italian industry associations, Federchimica and Confindustria, Director-General Pfirter expressed the Organisation's appreciation for their support in the implementation of the CWC and in promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry.

Director-General Pfirter also met the Deputy Chief of the Defence General Staff, General Fabrizio Castagnetti, and provided General Castagnetti a briefing on the implementation of the CWC and the progress towards the destruction of the declared, global stockpile of chemical weapons. Director-General Pfirter and General Castagnetti also discussed joint actions to enhance the training received by the OPCW's inspectors.

58/2004

Categories: Non-proliferation of chemical weapons, Outreach, Western Europe and Other States