The Open-Ended Working Group on Terrorism (OEWG) held a meeting on 10 July 2008 in the Technical Secretariat with Mr Gilles de Kerchove, the European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, and Spanish counter-terrorism expert Mr Pedro Ríos Calvo as guest speakers.
OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter opened the meeting by recalling the recommendations of the Second Review Conference on the OPCW’s response to terrorism. He highlighted the importance of implementing Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons) and stressed the value of the OPCW’s existing cooperation with the EU.
The OEWG facilitator, Mrs Annie-Claire Mari, described the role and responsibilities of the OEWG and reviewed its activities and their relevance to the Second Review Conference recommendations.
Mr Kerchove gave an overview of the role of the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and of the EU strategy on counter-terrorism, highlighting the chemical dimension. He said information exchange in the fight against terrorism across borders has improved, greater attention is paid to the protection of EU infrastructures, and that the European Arrest Warrant has facilitated the procedures of extradition.
Mr Kerkhove also mentioned several areas of possible cooperation between the EU and the OPCW.
Mr Rios, who is Chief Inspector of the Cuerpo Nacional de Policía, reviewed the activities of Spain in counter-terrorism, specifically regarding use of chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological (CBNR) weapons.
The OEWG was established by decision of the 27th Session of the Executive Council in December 2001 to examine further the OPCW’s contribution to global anti-terrorism efforts.