The Hague, Sept. 11 (SANA) The United Kingdom has contributed €585,000 to an Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons fund supporting its missions in Syria, as the international watchdog continues verification and technical work in the country.
The OPCW said Friday the funding would help sustain verification activities and the deployment of expert missions in Syria, supporting implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The organization described its work in Syria as a key part of efforts to uphold the global prohibition against chemical weapons.
Britain also provided €175,500 to an OPCW trust fund established under Article X of the convention to support Ukraine, including through equipment, training, expertise, logistical assistance and other technical support aimed at strengthening its ability to respond to chemical weapons-related threats.
Christopher Maxwell Rampling, Britain’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW, said the funding would support the organization’s ongoing work in Syria, assistance to Ukraine and other capacity-building projects.
He said the contributions underscored Britain’s commitment to the OPCW and its goal of achieving a world free of chemical weapons.
The funding comes after the OPCW Executive Council adopted by consensus on July 9 a decision to restore Syria’s rights and privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The decision followed increased cooperation between Syria and the OPCW Technical Secretariat, including facilitating verification and inspection activities, participating in investigations, tracking suspects and searching for remnants of the deposed Assad regime’s chemical weapons program.
Syria has pledged to continue cooperating with the organization to complete verification procedures and meet its obligations under the convention.
kA/ABD
