Merci Monsieur le Président,
Je voudrais remercier la Haute Représentante pour le désarmement, Mme. Izumi Nakamitsu, de son exposé sur l’élimination complète du programme syrien d’armes chimiques.
We still find ourselves today faced with a situation that has hardly changed since the last meeting. There is no progress in the discussions between the OPCW and the Syrian government, no progress either on the next inspection in Syria, and no progress on the face-to-face meeting between the DG of the OPCW and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria.
This situation of eternal deadlock in the implementation of Resolution 2118, and Syria’s chemical weapons program continues to remain out of the international community’s control.
Since February 2021, all attempts by the Secretariat to organize the 25th round of consultations between the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) and the Syrian National Authority have remained unsuccessful, because Syria continues to impose conditions on the deployment of the DAT, and refuses the issuance of visas to the statement assessment team, in violation of its obligations and Security Council resolutions. We deeply regret the observation of a deliberate lack of cooperation by Syria with the OPCW.
Mister President,
The OPCW’s 107 monthly report is clear on the gaps, inconsistencies, and discrepancies identified in the Syrian regime’s statement, (Syria’s 105th monthly report dated 15.08.2022), on its chemical weapons program. As a result, the OPCW still cannot confirm that the statement is accurate and complete in accordance with the Convention and Security Council resolution 2118 (2013).
Albania reiterates its full support for the objective, impartial and professional work of the OPCW technical team.
Syria’s obtuse refusal to cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat, with the support of its allies, is unacceptable.
Therefore, we continue to expect that Syria demonstrates its willingness to cooperate with the OPCW on all the requests required in the OPCW’s reports, in accordance with Resolution 2118 (2013).
Colleagues,
As we are in the 9th year of the chemical massacre in Eastern Ghouta, let me be clear that we owe it to the victims to ensure that there is no impunity for the attacks with chemical weapons. Impunity for the use of chemical weapons must not and will not be tolerated.
In this context, we welcome the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) which continues its activities in the determination of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, as well as the Bureau of Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) which continues its activities to identify the perpetrators of the use of chemical products as weapons in Syria. We look forward to their reports.
Mister President,
The Security Council and its members are responsible for protecting the international non-proliferation regime, which involves our collective security. It is one of the most successful disarmament regimes in the world. It has ensured the destruction of over 98% of declared stockpiles of chemical weapons.
We reject any attempt to politicize the work of the OPCW. Such an attitude only serves to delay the implementation of resolution 2118 (2013) by Syria, which also damages the reputation of the Security Council. We call on the members of the Security Council to act in unity in demanding the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2118 (2013).
The international ban on the use of chemical weapons must remain an absolute priority for this Council. We reiterate our firm condemnation of any use of chemical weapons by anyone and under any circumstances.
Finally, we remain convinced that the rapid closure of the investigations into the use of chemical weapons in Syria primarily serves Syria and its citizens and will allow the Security Council and the international community to support the Syrian people more effectively in their quest for a peaceful future.
Thanks.
