Foreign Minister Steinmeier comments on removal of Syrian chemical weapons

It may have been significantly delayed, but it is nonetheless complete: nearly six months later than planned, Syria has now had the last of its declared chemical weapons removed from its territory.

This is not the last of Syria’s obligations. In the next stage, the remaining facilities involved in Syria’s chemical‑weapons programme, including twelve former production sites, now need to be completely destroyed.

It is good that the destruction of these chemical weapons can finally begin. I welcome the fact that a large number of countries are working together to take on this major challenge.

Germany too is playing its part. We will be disposing of over 300 tonnes of remnants at a special incineration site in Munster, Lower Saxony. The work will be done in an environmentally sustainable manner, in compliance with the highest of safety standards.

Only last Friday, Ban Ki‑moon reminded us that most of the people dying in Syria are killed by conventional weapons. For the people in Syria, it is essential that we continue to work towards a political process by which the conflict can be resolved.