The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, visited Buenos Aires, Argentina on 22 and 23 July 2008 and addressed a regional meeting of representatives of National Authorities and Parliaments in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The meeting focussed on issues related to the adoption of comprehensive national legislation to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including rights and obligations of States Parties under the CWC and the legal basis for control of toxic chemicals and combating illicit trafficking. Representatives from 18 countries* participated, including 21 parliamentarians from 13 of the countries and from the regional parliamentary organisation PARLATINO.
In the opening ceremony Director-General Pfirter and Ambassador Raúl Ricardes, General Director for Multilateral Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, both highlighted the significance of the CWC as a disarmament and non-proliferation treaty that bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, contributing to international peace and security. The Hon. Luis Francisco Cigognia, Chairman of the Justice Committee of Argentina’s Chamber of Representatives, also addressed the ceremony and underlined Argentina’s commitment to the goals and objectives of the CWC.
In connection with the regional meeting, Director-General Pfirter met Ambassador Victorio Taccetti, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Argentina. The Director-General expressed appreciation for Argentina’s valuable support to the OPCW and provided an overview of the CWC’s implementation. Ambassador Taccetti reiterated his country’s unwavering support for the Convention and for the work of the OPCW.
The programme for the meeting concluded with a visit to Argentina’s Parliament.
* Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Uruguay and Venezuela