While in Rome the Director-General also delivered an address to the Centro Alti Studi per la Difesa (CASD) on implementation of the CWC as an example of disarmament and non-proliferation.
The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, paid a bilateral visit to Italy on 2 November 2009 where he met with senior Italian officials in the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence.
During his visit Director-General Pfirter met with Professor Enzo Scotti, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He provided Mr Scotti an update on the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including progress toward completing the destruction of global chemical weapons stockpiles and achieving universality of the Convention.
Mr Scotti reaffirmed Italy’s continuing strong support for the CWC and the OPCW and commended the Organisation for its efforts. On his part, the Director-General conveyed the Organisation’s firm commitment to further enhancing cooperation with Italy.
Minister Plenipotentiary Filippo Formica, the acting Director-General for Multilateral Policy Cooperation and Human Rights, hosted a luncheon in honour of the Director-General, which was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development and chemical industry associations inter alia. The luncheon offered an opportunity to reaffirm the common endeavours of the OPCW and Italy in promoting the full implementation of the Convention, in particular its non-proliferation regime.
During a joint meeting of the Director-General with senior officials in the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, the discussion focussed on Italy’s active support to implementation of the Convention and to the OPCW’s verification activities.
While in Rome the Director-General also delivered an address to the Centro Alti Studi per la Difesa (CASD) on implementation of the CWC as an example of disarmament and non-proliferation. The audience included high officials of the armed forces and security services as well as students of the Diplomatic Institute of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
OPCW NEWS 52/2009