Mr. Chairman,
Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election as the Chairman of the 14th Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). I assure you of my delegation’s full cooperation in ensuring the success of the Conference.
2. To our outgoing Chairman, Ambassador Minoru Shibuya of Japan, we express our appreciation for the wise and skilful leadership that he provided.
3. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Cuba, Ambassador Oscar de los Reyes Ramos, on behalf of the Member State Parties of the NonAligned Movement to the CWC, and China. Mr Chairman,
4. The Director-General in his statement has provided to the Conference a comprehensive report on the progress made during the year in the implementation of the Convention. In addition to expressing our satisfaction at the dedicated manner in which the Technical Secretariat continues to perform its duties, I wish to place on record our deep appreciation for the services rendered to the OPCW by Director-General Rogelio Pfirter.
