PRESS CONFERENCE

Sarajevo, June 23rd, 2009.

Press Release

Press Conference Held by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj and OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj and Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Rogelio Pfirter held a press conference on June 22nd, 2009. Prior to this, Minister Alkalaj and Director-General Pfirter opened the “International Seminar on National Implementation of Non-Proliferation Obligations; the OPCW as an Example of Effective Assistance in National Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)” held on June 22nd and June 23rd, 2009 in Hotel “Vucko” at Jahorina.

In his statement to the press, Minister Alkalaj expressed satisfaction with OPCW Director-General Pfirter’s visit to our country and the organization of this seminar. He assessed that this seminar represents an important step undertaken by the MFA of BiH in achieving our foreign policy priorities and proving that our country is a responsible member of the international community of democratic states. He underlined that BiH’s goal is to participate in the work of the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member in the 2010-2011 term and that the credibility of this endeavor is measured also by BiH’s contribution to the work of the UN Security Council in terms of its international security mandate. He added that, in presenting our candidacy for the Security Council, we relied heavily on two arguments pertaining to enhancing security and peace in the world. In addition to the contributions made by our police and military forces in peace-keeping and security missions in the world, the implementation of globally binding instruments in the domain of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is of equal importance – which also gives greater importance to this seminar.

Director-General Pfirter thanked Minister Alkalaj for organizing and sponsoring this international seminar. He stated that no country can remain indifferent towards the possibility of terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction and using them. Therefore, it is imperative that this threat be eliminated, which can be achieved by enabling governments to prevent the illicit production and trafficking of weapons of mass destruction and WMD-related materials. He concluded that Bosnia and Herzegovina has been successful in fulfilling its commitments and that he expects success in future cooperation between our country and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.