Costa Rica leader meets with OPCW to discuss chemical weapons disarmament

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü recently met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica H.E. Alejandro Solano Ortiz to discuss a range of issues related to chemical weapons disarmament and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

“Costa Rica is a vigorous proponent of the OPCW’s mission since the organization’s inception,” Üzümcü said. “The valuable contributions from Costa Rica to the OPCW help keep the global ban on chemical weapons on a firm footing.”

While meeting at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague, Solano Ortiz said the OPCW member states need to lend all of their support to the OPCW, especially with recent instances of chemical weapons use. He added that Costa Rica considers the OPCW to be an indispensable element of international peace and security and will continue to support the CWC.

Costa Rica joined the CWC in 1997 and is an active participant of OPCW-related activities including regional capacity building through the OPCW’s international cooperation programs.

The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling and transfer of chemical weapons. To date, approximately 93 percent of all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor states have been destroyed under OPCW verification.