PR OFFICE

Sarajevo, December 1st, 2009

Press Release

Director of the Department for Peace and Security in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador Fuad Sabeta Addresses the 14th Session of the OPCW Conference of States Parties

At the 14th Session of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Conference of the States Parties held from November 30th to December 4th, 2009 in The Hague, Director of the Department for Peace and Security in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador Fuad Sabeta presented Bosnia and Herzegovina's position and activities in the international fight against chemical weapons proliferation.

Ambassador Sabeta emphasized our country's constructive role in the past but also underlined that BiH needs additional funds and other forms of assistance in order to ensure a timely implementation of its commitments.

The main objectives of the 14th Session of the Conference, which has brought together the delegations of 170 countries, are to strengthen the international community's capacities in dealing with incidents and dangers related to chemical weapons and other chemical substances. The session will deliberate on forms of international cooperation in the destruction of chemical weapons and protecting the environment from harmful chemical substances. Particular attention will be given to preventing the disposal of obsolete chemical weapons in international waters.

The OPCW is expected to confirm the appointment of Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Uzumcu as its new Director General on the last day of the Conference.

Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Miranda Sidran-Kamisalic also took part in the work of the Conference.