Hailing Destruction of Syria’s Declared Chemical Weapons Arsenal, Secretary-General

Urges Government to Fully Eliminate Remaining Arms Production Facilities

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the destruction of the declared chemical weapons material on board the United States Maritime Vessel Cape Ray.  This marks a significant achievement in the international community’s efforts to eliminate the chemical weapons programme of the Syrian Arab Republic following the framework agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States of America.

The Secretary-General appreciates the cooperation of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and commends those Member States that provided crucial support to this process, as well as the United Nations Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Joint Mission for its leadership and commitment.  He urges the Syrian Arab Republic to build on this historic milestone in order to ensure the full elimination of its chemical weapons programme, including the destruction of the remaining chemical weapons production facilities.

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For information media • not an official record