The National Authority of France and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have jointly organised a course to develop National Authorities’ proficiency in training the national escorts that accompany on-site inspections under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The course was conducted from 23 to 31 October 2007 at the Training Centre for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (CEFFIAC), in Paris, France. Representatives from the following eighteen States Parties participated in this event: Austria, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Croatia, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain and Vietnam.
The course was opened by General Gilles Fernandez, Deputy Director Arms Control, Cooperation, Technology and Industrial Strategies of the General Delegation of Armament of the Ministry of Defence of France. In his opening remarks, General Fernandez reiterated France’s commitment to the CWC’s goals and objectives. He expressed his Government’s support for the OPCW’s promotion of the CWC’s full and effective implementation by helping National Authorities building the capacity to meet their obligations under the CWC. General Fernandez underlined the important role escorts play in support of OPCW inspections.
Since 2005, the National Authority of France and the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW have organised basic courses for personnel of National Authorities. The training session held in October 2007 is in response to the interest expressed by National Authorities to receive training specifically devoted to ensuring successful OPCW inspections in States Parties.
PR118/2007