Catherine Ashton welcomes US-Russian agreement on chemical weapons in Syria

Brussels, 14 September 2013

130914/01

STATEMENT

by High Representative Catherine Ashton following the US-Russian

agreement on chemical weapons in Syria

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and

Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"I welcome the agreement reached today between the United States and the Russian Federation to

ensure the swift and secure destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons and programme. They are

committed to finalising the details of this agreement and submitting a draft decision to the Executive

Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the next few days.

This will set out detailed procedures for the expeditious destruction of materiel, the termination of the

chemical weapons programme and a stringent verification process. I call on the UN Security Council

to assume its responsibilities in agreeing swiftly on a resolution that will give further authority to the

whole process.

I join the US and the Russian Federation in demanding that Syria provide the OPCW, the UN and other

supporting personnel with immediate rights and unfettered access to inspect any and all sites in Syria.

I welcome the statement of commitment by the Syrian authorities immediately to apply the Chemical

Weapons Convention on a provisional basis prior to its entry into force.

The EU is already the largest financial contributor to the OPCW, and a number of EU Member States

have the technical knowledge necessary to assist in securing sites, and in dismantling and destroying

certain chemical agents. In close coordination with its Member States, the EU stands ready to offer

further support to the OPCW in carrying out its important and urgent tasks.

I hope that today’s agreement will pave the way for the resumption of efforts towards a political

solution to the Syrian conflict. I urge all partners in the international community to support the swift

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 584 9780- [email protected] @EUHighRepSpox

Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - [email protected] @AshtonSpox_Maja

Sebastien Brabant +32 460 75 09 98 - [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter @eu_eeas

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www.eeas.europa.eu

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holding of a peace conference on Syria and to work together toward bringing an end to the suffering

of the Syrian people."

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2|Pa g e

بيان الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون يرحب بالاتفاق الأمريكي الروسي على تدمير الأسلحة الكيميائية السورية، ويطالب سورية بمنح المفتشين وصولًا فوريًا إلى جميع المواقع.