German Bundestag Delegation Visits the OPCW

23 June 2015

The Deputy Director-General, Ambassador Grace Asirwatham, met on 22 June 2015 a delegation from the Sub-Committee on Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation of the German Bundestag.  The delegation comprised Mr Robert Hochbaum MP, Chairperson of the Sub-Committee, Dr Ute Finckh-Krämer MP, Deputy Chairperson of the Sub-Committee, Ms Inge Höger MP and Mr Carsten Müller MP.

Ambassador Asirwatham updated the delegation on progress made towards destruction of declared stockpiles of chemical weapons, and briefed the delegation on recent developments and challenges related to implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

“Germany is a vital partner in our collective effort to rid the world of chemical weapons, and we welcome the active interest shown by parliamentarians in ensuring this effort continues to enjoy strong support,” said the Deputy Director-General.

“The Chemical Weapons Convention is a rare success story in multilateral disarmament, and we must now do everything possible to make sure such weapons are never re-built,” said delegation leader, Mr Hochbaum.

The delegation also obtained briefings from senior OPCW officials relating to the mission to eliminate Syrian chemical weapons and paid a visit to the OPCW Laboratory at Rijswijk.