Swiss Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Didier Burkhalter (left), and OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü.
The Foreign Minister of the Swiss Confederation, H.E. Mr. Didier Burkhalter, accompanied by his senior staff, visited the Technical Secretariat in The Hague today for a meeting with the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü.
The Director-General updated the Foreign Minister on the status of implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including the destruction of declared chemical weapon stockpiles, the need to achieve universality of the Convention, and the OPCW’s national capacity building activities. He also briefed the Minister on the OPCW contribution to the ongoing United Nations investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. Both the Foreign Minister and Director General agreed on the need for all sides in the conflict to ensure the investigators have free and safe access to the sites where it is alleged that chemical weapons have been used.
The Director-General commended Switzerland for its commitment to the goals of the Convention and for its support to the work of the OPCW. Mr. Burkhalter affirmed his country’s continuing commitment and support to the Convention and the OPCW.