Madame President,
I extend my gratitude to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mrs. Nakamitsu, for her comprehensive briefing and commend her for her dedicated efforts.
Furthermore, my country expresses its deepest appreciation for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and its unwavering commitment to carrying out its mandate with impartiality, professionalism, and adherence to the highest international standards. We recognize its crucial role in establishing the facts surrounding the use of chemical weapons, including toxic chemicals, for hostile purposes in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Madame President,
Greece, with its deep historical and political ties to Syria, remains committed to supporting a fully inclusive, Syrian-led, and Syrian-owned political transition, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
The security and prosperity of Syria, along with its adherence to international law—including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)—are critical for regional stability in the Middle East. We, therefore, strongly reaffirm our support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
We urge the Council to seize the current momentum and advance substantial progress on Syria’s chemical weapons file—an issue that has seen little movement in recent years. As a priority, we emphasize the need to secure chemical weapons-related sites and materials throughout the transition period.
Madame President,
I would like to highlight three key areas of importance for my country:
First, we welcome the recent visit of the OPCW Director-General to Syria as a crucial step toward restoring mutual trust and cooperation between the Organisation and the Syrian authorities. We also acknowledge the recent visit of Syrian caretaker Foreign Minister Mr. al-Shaibani to the OPCW and his expressed commitment to eliminating Syria’s remaining chemical weapons. We encourage Syria to engage constructively and in good faith with the OPCW’s Technical Secretariat to resolve the 19 outstanding issues. Demonstrating full compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention is essential for Syria to regain its rights and privileges as a State Party without further delay.
Second, the latest OPCW reports indicate slow progress in dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons program. Notably, due to the evolving situation in Syria, no recent monthly reports have been received regarding activities related to the destruction of chemical weapons within its territory.
Third, Greece unequivocally condemns any use of chemical weapons by any state or non-state actors, under any circumstances. Accountability is essential, and we stress the importance of holding all perpetrators responsible. In this regard, we support the continued work of the OPCW’s Fact-Finding Mission in investigating allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria. Establishing accountability remains a fundamental step toward justice and deterrence.
Madame President,
In conclusion, Greece calls for the unity of the Council in upholding Resolution 2118 (2013) and reaffirming the international norm against the use of chemical weapons.
I thank you.