OPCW Director-General Meets Foreign Minister and Other Senior Authorities in Argentina

21 January 2009

Between 14 and 16 January 2009 the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, met in Buenos Aires, Argentina with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, Mr. Jorge Taiana, and other high-level authorities to discuss the status of implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). All of these authorities reaffirmed the strong support of Argentina for the Convention and for the OPCW.

In his meeting with Foreign Minister Taiana, Director-General Pfirter provided an update on the implementation of the CWC, including the progress being made towards eliminating global chemical weapons stockpiles, and he commended Argentina for its implementation of the Convention and its close cooperation with the OPCW.

For his part, Foreign Minister Taiana highlighted Argentina´s strong commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation as envisioned in the treaty and carried out by the OPCW, as well as the importance of the full implementation of the assistance and protection and international cooperation provisions of the CWC.

In addition to the Foreign Minister, the Director-General met the Minister of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, Dr. Lino Barañao. Dr Barañao specifically noted the great significance of science and technology for the achievement of the non-proliferation goals of the CWC and advocated the continued attention of the OPCW to this important sphere.

Director-General Pfirter also met the State Secretary for Scientific and Technological Coordination, Dr. Alejandro Ceccatto, as well as the State Secretary of Energy, Engineer Daniel Cameron.