Statement by Sergei Martynov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, at the High-Level Meeting on the Tenth Anniversary of the Entry into Force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (New York, 27 September 2007)

Belarus strongly supports the efforts by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, established a decade ago, to achieve the goals of the Convention. The Organization occupies a remarkable place in the family of universal international organizations.

Belarus welcomes the progress achieved in destroying the stockpiles of chemical weapons. We understand difficulties faced by the possessor States Parties to the Convention and believe that the relevant international assistance mechanisms will eventually prove to be effective in achieving this objective.

The Republic of Belarus implements the Convention in the most responsible manner. Transfer and production of chemicals are effectively monitored to ensure that activities of Belarusian companies meet the provisions of the Convention.

Chemical industry is an important sector of Belarusian economy. Government is highly interested in ensuring its dynamic development. In this connection I would like to stress the importance of international cooperation in the field of chemical activities for peaceful purposes as envisaged by the Convention. I am convinced that active international cooperation is vital for promotion of the universality of the Convention.

This year Belarus in collaboration with the OPCW conducted a regional meeting of the States Parties to the Convention in Minsk. Undoubtedly this event contributed to fostering of international cooperation on the issues of the CWC implementation. Belarus is ready to render assistance to interested States in establishing their national implementation mechanisms of the Convention.

Let me express my hope that universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable treaties similar to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, will prevail in the system of international agreements in the field of disarmament and arms control.

The Republic of Belarus associates itself with the statement made by distinguished Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba on behalf of the members of the Non-Aligned Movement who are States Parties to the Convention.

In conclusion I would like to thank the Governments of Poland and the Netherlands for convening this meeting.