Chemical disarmament and non-proliferation: Council adopts conclusions

Chemical disarmament and non-proliferation: Council adopts conclusions

On 16 April 2018, the Council adopted conclusions on chemical disarmament and non-proliferation with a view towards the fourth special session of the conference of the states parties to review the operation of the chemical weapons convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction. This session will take place in The Hague on 21-30 November 2018.

The Council recalls that the European Union stands united in its support for the total prohibition and elimination of chemical weapons worldwide and that it strongly believes that use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons, by anyone, be it a State or a non-State actor, anywhere, and under any circumstances is abhorrent and must be rigorously condemned.

The Council reaffirms that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable, constitutes a breach of international law and may amount to a war crime or a crime against humanity and that there can be no impunity and those responsible for such acts must be held accountable. It underlines that the most recent reports from Syria, which are truly shocking and must be urgently and independently investigated, only serve to reinforce the EU's shared determination.

Furthermore, the Council welcomes the upcoming fourth review conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention and expresses its commitment to contributing constructively to its successive outcome.