The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, paid an official visit to the Republic of Indonesia on 5 and 6 September 2006. Together with H.E. Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Foreign Minster of the Republic of Indonesia, Director-General Pfirter opened the Fourth Regional Meeting of Asian National Authorities in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 5 September 2006.
In their meeting, Foreign Minister Wirajuda renewed Indonesia’s offer to support the Organisation in its mission to rid the world of chemical weapons. He assured Director-General Pfirter of his Government’s unwavering commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention, an essential multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation agreement that contributes to international security and the struggle against terrorism.
Director-General Pfirter thanked Foreign Minister Wirajuda for Indonesia’s continuing close cooperation with the OPCW and for generously hosting the successful meeting of the Asian National Authorities. He briefed the Foreign Minister on the OPCW’s global activities, stressing the importance of full and effective national implementation and the need to acquire every State’s membership within the Organisation.
Both Foreign Minister Wirajuda and Director-General Pfirter agreed to develop cooperation within the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) through its Security Community, which is currently coordinated by Indonesia.
During his official visit, Director-General Pfirter also met H.E. Mr Fahmi Idris, the Minister of Industry. Minister Idris told Director-General Pfirter that the draft national legislation needed to anchor the Convention’s stipulations within national law was being given priority for its passage through Parliament, with the aim of adopting the legislation no later than mid-2007. Director-General Pfirter commended this effort and assured Minister Idris of the OPCW’s continuing support in achieving this objective.
Director-General Pfirter met H.E. Mrs Siti Fadilah Supadi, Minister of Health, and welcomed Indonesia’s support for the Convention and the Organisation’s mission.
Director-General Pfirter also met the Honorable Theo Sambuaga, Chairman of the First Committee of Parliament dealing with Defense and Foreign Affairs. The Vice-Chairman and other members of the Committee were also present during the meeting. Mr Sambuaga assured the Director-General that priority would be accorded for expeditious consideration and passage of the draft national legislation.
PR51 / 2006