Miqdad: Eliminating weapons of mass destruction preventing terrorists from using it, Collective Responsibility

THE HAGUE, (ST)_ Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Faisal al-Miqdad, who is also President of the National Committee on the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons emphasized that ” elimination of weapons of mass destruction and prevent access of terrorist groups from using it is a collective responsibility that should be worked out seriously in particular in the Middle East”.

He added that this necessitates an international move to make the Middle East a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction, a matter which would not be achieved unless compelling Israel, the only party in the region, who did not join any of the international conventions on the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to accede to these conventions.

This came in a statement made by Dr. Miqdad, in the opening session of the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which opened its deliberations yesterday.

In his statement, Miqdad pointed out that Syria is taking part in the conference for the second time after the “historic decision” to join the Convention on the prohibition of the use, production, and stockpiling chemical weapons, “stressing that this achievement came despite the difficult circumstances Syria is experiencing of a fierce attack by terrorist organizations and regional and international powers.

“President Bashar al-Assad’s political directives and the great efforts made by the Syrian authorities concerned formed a key factor in achieving this huge task which is but a bright evidence of Syria’s commitment to its international obligations, “Miqdad underscored.

He demanded states and sides imposing economic blockade on Syria to lift this inhuman economic measure which led to the death of many Syrian children of the Syrian people, who are engaged in a war against terrorism, murder and destruction at the hands of Daesh and al-Nusra front terrorists and other al-Qaeda affiliated organization.

However, the 18th session of the conference of States parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons opened its works by a speech for its director general Ahmed Aozumajo in which he praised the standing and continuous cooperation between Syria and the organization and the substantive progress made by Syria to implement its obligations under the Convention.

Statements made by several countries and regional groups, also commended the efforts done by the Syrian government in implementation of its obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Moreover, in a statement, the Russian Federation praised the successful implementation of the removal of the Syrian chemicals, as a result of continuous cooperation between the Syrian government and the Organization, calling on all States parties to work “in a pragmatic way” and to stay away from. “Politicization of the technical work of OPCW.

Group of Member States in the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as China praised the cooperation provided by Syria in implementation of its obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical weapons and the substantial progress that has been achieved in this regard.

For its part, the African Group noted the efforts made by Syria in the implementation of its obligations under the Convention and the decisions of the Executive Council of the Organization and the substantial progress that has been achieved, thanks to Syria’s efforts and cooperation.

Both Malaysia and Brazil commended the significant progress in the implementation of Syria’s obligations, describing Syria joining of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the considerable work done in a short period of time is a “success story” that has been realized through cooperation between Syria and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and support of member States.

Worthy mentioning, the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will follow-up deliberations of its 18th session in the next four days, during which topics debated on its agenda will be discussed.

T. Fateh