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Thank you, Madam President,
I also thank the High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing and welcome the representatives of Syria and Türkiye for this meeting.
Since our last meeting we have seen further progress on the chemical weapons file in Syria.
As we heard from the High Representative, the cooperation between the Syrian government and the OPCW has continued. Just last week, a significant amount of undeclared chemical weapons, related materials and documentation of the former Assad regime’s chemical weapons programme were discovered by the OPCW and the Syrian Government.
This represents another example of sustained positive development towards the closure of this file. Denmark commends the Syrian government for its commitment to the file and its close cooperation with the OPCW. This is essential to finally establish the full scope of the former regime’s programme and to move towards its verified and irreversible elimination.
Denmark also welcomes the establishment of the Syrian-led “Breath of Freedom” international task force for the elimination of chemical weapons of the former Assad regime and wishes to acknowledge the leadership displayed by the involved states.
Madam President,
Despite these positive developments, we would stress that the task ahead remains complex.
Considering the complicated security environment and with many potentially relevant locations across Syria, it is important to continuously prioritise this file.
The Syrian authorities have previously stated that they do not possess the necessary means and resources to implement the country’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
It is therefore important that the Syrian government receives adequate support and we encourage all actors to extend technical and financial assistance to Syria and the OPCW.
This is crucial to secure progress including deployments to the remaining sites, development and implementation of plans for the safe destruction of identified materials, and the submission of a complete and accurate declaration of all remaining chemical weapons-related materials and activities.
Madam President,
Denmark recognizes the efforts to achieve accountability for the atrocious crimes committed by the former Assad regime. In this regard, we note the recent arrests of 18 people suspected of involvement in the former regime’s chemical weapons programme.
Transitional justice remains key to a just and prosperous new Syria, and the government’s commitment to an independent, credible and transparent Syrian led-process on this agenda is of vital importance.
Madam President, to conclude,
Closing this file will send a strong message to the Syrian people that a new era has truly arrived. That there will be accountability and justice for past crimes. That the threat of chemical weapons can and will be eliminated once and for all. Denmark will continue to support efforts to this important end.
I thank you.
