OPCW Director-General Visits Viet Nam; Meets Foreign Minister and Minister of Industry

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, paid an official visit to The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on 26 and 27 September 2006 and met the Deputy Prime Minister, who also serves as the Foreign Minister of Viet Nam, H.E Mr Pham Gia Khiem.

In their meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Khiem renewed Viet Nam’s continued support for the Organisation in its mission to achieve the complete global elimination of chemical weapons. He reiterated his Government’s staunch commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention, a non-discriminatory multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaty that contributes to international peace and security.

Director-General Pfirter briefed Deputy Prime Minister Khiem on the status of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the efforts undertaken by the OPCW in fulfilling its mandate to implement the global ban on chemical weapons, by eliminating all stockpiles and preventing the proliferation and re-emergence of chemical weapons all over the world. He additionally stressed the significance of universal adherence to the Convention and of full implementation of all its provisions by Member States, to ensure its ultimate success. Director-General Pfirter commended Viet Nam for its exemplary implementation of the Convention and its close cooperation with the OPCW.

Deputy Prime Minister Khiem and Director-General Pfirter also exchanged views on the challenges ahead that were being addressed by the OPCW, such as the verified destruction of the global chemical weapons stockpile and the potential threat posed by chemical weapons proliferation.

During his official visit, Director-General Pfirter also met H.E. Hoang Trung Hai, Minister of Industry, H.E. Mr Nguyen Huy Hieu, the Vice Minister of Defence and H.E. Mr Huu Hao Do, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry, who is also the Chairman of the CWC National Authority. Ambassador Pfirter complimented the Vietnamese authorities for the progress achieved in the CWC’s national implementation in Viet Nam, in particular since this legislation provides the essential legal and administrative basis, enabling States Parties to deter or pursue any breach of the CWC, including the terrorist acquisition or use of chemical weapons.

Director-General Pfirter also addressed the faculty of the Institute of International Relations in Hanoi, providing an overview of the OPCW’s mandate and work in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention.

PR64 / 2006

Categories: Asia, Outreach