The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, travelled to Oslo on Tuesday 4 June 2013 where he met with the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Espen Barth Eide, and other senior officials.
The Director-General updated the Foreign Minister on progress in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, including the destruction of global chemical stockpiles, and highlighted the main outcomes of the Third Review Conference in April. He also discussed the need to achieve full universality and areas where Norway could specifically try to assist. The Director-General commended Norway for its firm support and commitment to the work of the OPCW, which the Foreign Minister affirmed would continue.
The Director-General had a separate meeting with Mr John-Mikal Størdal, Director General of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), and with Ms Torill Tandberg, Director of Department for Industry Products and Hazardous Substances, Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB). They agreed to exchange ideas on a possible event in Norway on education and outreach in 2014.
While in Oslo the Director-General delivered a speech at the Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HIOA).