OPCW Director-General Visits Jerusalem; Speaks at Hebrew University

Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), visited Jerusalem from 2 to 4 April 2006 at the invitation of the Leonard Davis Institute for International Relations of the Hebrew University.

At the Hebrew University, Director-General Pfirter gave a lecture on the Chemical Weapons Convention and its implementation by the 178 OPCW Member States.

In his remarks at the University, Director-General Pfirter noted that when the Chemical Weapons Convention was opened for signature, the Foreign Minister of Israel at that time, Mr Shimon Peres, launched an appeal “to sign the Convention and build a New Middle East free of the horrors of war”. He recalled that more than twelve years had passed since Mr Peres had made his appeal in Paris, but the message remains as valid today as it was then. The Director-General also made a strong appeal for the universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the Middle East. In concluding, Director-General Pfirter said that by taking the courageous step to say “yes” to the Chemical Weapons Convention, everyone’s security will be increased, and ultimately the path will be paved towards the stability, peace and harmony, which Israel and all the countries in the Middle East desire and deserve.

During his stay, Director-General Pfirter met the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, H.E. Mr Ron Prossor, and the Deputy Director-General for Strategic Affairs, H. E. Ms Miriam Ziv, to discuss Israel’s position on the Chemical Weapons Convention and prospects for Israel’s ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

PR16 / 2006

Categories: Asia, Universality