Training Course Graduates on Prohibiting Chemical Weapons Convention

DAMASCUS,(ST)_ In the context of cooperation and coordination between Syria and the Islamic Republic of Iran, a ceremony was held today ( Saturday) marking the graduation of the training course for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, supervised by Iranian experts.

Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister and chairman of the Syrian National Committee for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention

Dr Faisal Miqdad said that the training course was held at the initiative of Iranian friends, following Syria’s accession to the Convention, pointing out that the course laid the optimum way for Syria ‘s implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and that the good results attained by the trainees confirms this conviction.

Miqdad stressed that Syrian – Iranian cooperation in this course reflects the brightened face of international cooperation, as one of the fundamental pillars of the agreement signed by Syria with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, pointing out that Western countries ” have not only shown hostility and negligence to the principle of international cooperation, but fought it and questioned its usefulness, as part of their double- standard policy. “

He described Syrian-Iranian relations “as strong relations that no one can undermine” and that Israel, the Western countries and their tools in the region are responsible for what is happening in Syria of bloodshed and killing of citizens.

Miqdad indicated that two of the course trainees were martyred in the battle against terrorism, which targets all the world, not only Syria and expressed confidence in achieving victory against terrorism, thanks to the steadfastness of the Syrian army in making successive victories.

For his part, Advisor to the Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, stressed that Iranian -Syrian relations ” are strategic and well-established and that both countries, seek security and peace in the Middle East and the world.”

He pointed that Syria’s commitment to the Convention with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is embarrassing Israel, which continues its armament program, pointing out that Syria’s enemies do not want it to implement its obligations, nor to be settled in peace.

He explained that Iranian experts have put 20 years’ experience in the hands of the trainees who are considered the core of the Syrian National Committee to the implementation of the Convention in order to disseminate it to the rest of their colleagues, adding that a sample of the certificates obtained by the trainees and the two martyrs will be sent to The Hague, so that the world knows the dear price Syria pays in the fight against terrorism.”

The Graduation ceremony was attended by the Iranian ambassador in Damascus Mohammad Ali Reza Sheibani, Iranian experts and Syrian officials concerned.

T. Fateh