Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Deputy National Security Advisor Antony Blinken’s Meeting with United Nations-Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Joint Mission in Syria Special Coordinator Sigrid Kaag

Deputy National Security Advisor Antony Blinken met yesterday with Sigrid Kaag, Special Coordinator of the United Nations-Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Joint Mission to eliminate the chemical weapons program in Syria, to discuss the Joint Mission’s progress and to reiterate strong U.S. support for its work. Their conversation focused on ensuring the Syrian government maintains regular, substantial, and uninterrupted activities to remove its chemical weapons to enable destruction in accordance with the June 30 deadline set by the OPCW Executive Council and the U.N. Security Council, and on the continued readiness of the United States and the international community to support the Joint Mission’s efforts to facilitate the Syrian government’s meeting its obligations. Deputy NSA Blinken thanked Special Coordinator Kaag for her leadership and for the dedication and bravery of her staff.