Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, H.E. Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles with H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director General OPCW. Photography by Imane Rachidi.
The Hague, Netherlands — 18 October 2018 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, H.E. Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, met today at the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General and the Minister of Foreign of Affairs examined the progress and challenges in implementing the global ban against chemical weapons, and discussed Spain’s efforts to support the Organisation’s work.
The upcoming Fourth Review Conference was discussed as States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention are anticipated to set a strategic direction for the OPCW for the next five years and beyond. The discussion further covered OPCW’s engagement in addressing the threat of chemical weapons use, as well as expanding the Organisation’s laboratory capabilities into an OPCW Centre for Science and Technology.
The Director-General remarked: “Today, when we confront powerful security shifts and challenges, let me express gratitude for Spain’s abiding commitment to the international norm against chemical weapons, and for its concrete actions to assist the OPCW fulfil its mission.”
The Foreign Minster stated: “Spain, as an active member of the OPCW, recognises the crucial role played nowadays by the Organisation in the construction of a world free from chemical weapons.
The success of the OPCW in achieving its noble goals is not only our own success, but also a faithful reflection of our historic responsibility to work towards the full elimination of all weapons of mass destruction.”
