|
Director of OPCW praises Cuba’s
biotechnology
and toxicology
expertise
“During this visit, I have noted the
high
level of
existing knowledge and
expertise in
Cuba in
the areas of biotechnology
and toxicology,” the
Director-General
of
the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW), Ahmet Üzümcü,
said during a press conference.
 Cuba
has the
capacity to provide technical
assistance and training
to other member countries of the
organization,
Üzümcü
added.
The
distinguished visitor
described his meetings
with Miguel Díaz-Canel,
member of the Political Bureau and first vice
president of the Councils
of State and Ministers and
the Minister of Science,
Technology and Environment
(CITMA), Elba
Rosa
Montoya Pérez, as very fruitful. During the
talks, they discussed
topics of interest
relating to the promotion
of the
exchange of chemical substances
and scientific information
for peaceful purposes.
Üzümcü
stressed
that OPCW member states
appreciate and benefit from
the support provided by
Cuba.
OPCW
has been successful in
chemical disarmament
and now aims to prevent the
resurgence of new
harmful
weapons.
“Our
institution promotes
educational activities
in order to
create
consciousness and increase
sensitivity regarding this issue,”
Üzümcü
added.
When
questioned about delays
in the destruction
process in certain nations
possessing chemical
weapons, the director responded that despite
delays,
these nations are committed
to eliminating their weapons,
and agreements
have been
reached with member states
of the Convention, as
thousands of workers
and millions of dollars
are required to destroy the
chemical weapons.
In
the case of
Libya
and
Iraq,
they are expected to
complete the desruction process
shortly. Üzümcü
highlighted the success of
the mission in
Syria,
where 98%
of chemical weapons were eliminated.
Ahmet Üzümcü
said
that
by 2016,
92% of the lethal
substances will have been destroyed,
reaffirming the mission of the
OPCW, which
in 2013
was awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize.
In
conclusion, he
warned against
the use
of chemical weapons as
part of new forms of terrorism
and praised
Cuba's
ongoing commitment to the
Convention.
|
