Deputy Foreign Minister meets Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ DG

Friday, 17 April 2015 05:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P. Perera visited the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on 15 April and met with the Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü. The visit to OPCW came on the sidelines of the Global Conference on Cyberspace 2015 held from 16-17 April in the Netherlands. Ambassador Üzümcü acknowledged Sri Lanka’s role in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including its contributions to OPCW training and assistance activities aimed at enhancing international cooperation and capacity-building efforts.

The Director-General updated the Deputy Foreign Minister on progress made by the OPCW on chemical disarmament and non-proliferation, and discussed ways of further enhancing cooperation between the Organisation and Sri Lanka. He went on to express OPCW’s support and assistance towards the full and effective implementation of the CWC in the country. Deputy Foreign Minister Perera highlighted Sri Lanka’s longstanding cooperation with the OPCW as one among the State Parties that signed the CWC upon its opening for signature. He acknowledged the OPCW’s efforts towards disarmament and non-proliferation, and assured the Director-General of Sri Lanka’s serious commitment and meaningful contributions to achieving the goals of the CWC. He thanked the OPCW for the continuous training assistance provided to Sri Lanka and expressed interest in exploring the possibility of broader cooperation with the OPCW. Both parties underscored the necessity of meaningful engagement with each other to ensure the peaceful use of chemistry to address future challenges in chemical terrorism-related matters.