Vietnam condemns the use of chemical weapons which is aflagrant violation of international law and presents an immediate threat to thelives and living environment of civilians, he said while chairing a UNSC openvideo-teleconference (VTC) on the situation and chemical weapon issue in Syria.
Quy emphasized the importance to fully implement theChemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to achieve the goal of ridding the world ofchemical weapons.
He encouraged the Organisation for the Prohibition ofChemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Syrian authority to enhance cooperation in themost earnest and constructive manner in order to fully address the remainingissues and work towards the full implementation of the CWC and Resolution 2118on the elimination of the chemical weapons programme of Syria.
The Vietnamese diplomat also called for a constructive andnon-politicized engagement of all parties so as to achieve a lasting solutionto this issue, including at the 25th session of the Conference of the StateParties to the CWC to be resumed later this month.
In her remarks at the event, Under-Secretary-General andHigh Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said the Office forDisarmament Affairs has continued to maintain regular contact with counterpartsat the OPCW on its activities related to this matter.
She highlighted the ongoing efforts to clarify theremaining outstanding issues regarding the initial declaration of Syria to theOPCW, saying the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team and the Syrian NationalAuthority held the 24th round of consultations in February, duringwhich they conducted technical meetings and interviews regarding theoutstanding issues.
Vietnam holds the rotating presidency of UNSC in April./.