Kirill G. Gevorgian
Permanent Representative

Andries Bickerweg 2
2517 JP The Hague
Tel.: (070) 346-88-88, 345-13-00
Fax: (070) 361-79-60
e-mail: ambrusnl@euronet.nl

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

The 1993 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction entered into force on 29 April 1997. Today there are 180 States Parties to the Convention.

The main object and purpose of the Convention is the total prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons, as well as the complete destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities. To this end the Convention established an international intergovernmental organisation – the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). All States Parties to the Convention are members of the OPCW.

Russia ratified the Convention on 5 December 1997. The Convention entered into force for Russia on 3 January 1998.

The OPCW Headquarters is situated in The Hague, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Russia, which has the largest stockpiles of chemical weapons and possesses a significant chemical industry potential, plays a prominent role in OPCW activities. Russia's main objective in the OPCW is to strengthen the Organization and to increase its role as a unique international disarmament and non-proliferation mechanism.

Russia's balanced and consistent position on issues of OPCW activities and the implementation of the CWC is aimed at stabilizing the performance of the OPCW. It is based on Russia's national interests, common sense, strict adherence to international law and a commitment to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. Russia's implementation of the provisions of the Convention has met with difficulties, primarily in the area of destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles. Nevertheless, continuous increases in financing and employment of additional resources for the full implementation of the Federal Programme "Destruction of Chemical Weapons Stockpiles in the Russian Federation" should allow Russia to meet its obligations within established deadlines. Russia's efforts have been commended by the OPCW and by States Parties, some of which provide voluntary assistance to Russia in the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles.

One more major objective of the OPCW in addition to the elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles is the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime. In this regard Russia makes a significant contribution to the achievement of universal adherence to the CWC and full national implementation of the CWC by all States Parties. Russia's readiness to provide assistance in this area to any State Party is positively recognized by the OPCW.

The Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the OPCW established in The Hague plays a coordinating role, allowing Russia to uphold its interests in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on a permanent basis.