The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, on 4 February 2008 paid an official visit to Slovenia, which took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2008.
During his visit the Director-General met H. E. Dr Danilo Türk, the President of Slovenia, and in their discussion President Türk noted the evolving role of the OPCW over the years, which has led to this Organisation’s significant position among other international bodies. Director-General Pfirter stated that the Chemical Weapons Convention (Convention) is an essential multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaty that contributes to global security. In his meeting with President Türk, the Director-General also reviewed the implementation of the Convention and commended Slovenia’s close cooperation with the OPCW. Director-General Pfirter stressed the significance of universal adherence to the Convention and full implementation of all its provisions by Member States to ensure its ultimate success.
During his visit, Director-General Pfirter gave an address to the workshop on “The Chemical Weapons Convention: Ten Years After”, which the Government of Slovenia organised for EU Member States in preparation for the Second Review Conference of the OPCW in April 2008.
The Director-General also met H.E. Mr Darko Žiberna, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Health, for an exchange of views on issues relating to the Convention. Director-General Pfirter commended Slovenia for its exemplary implementation of the Convention. H. E. Mr Žiberna reaffirmed the staunch support of Slovenia for the goals of the chemical weapons ban and for the work of the OPCW in implementing the CWC.
During his official visit, Director-General Pfirter also met Ms Anita Pipan, the Director-General for Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, and other senior officials of the Ministry, as well as Dr Marta Ciraj, Director of the National Chemicals Bureau, which is the National Authority for the implementation of the CWC in the Republic of Slovenia.