OPCW discusses plan to destroy Syria's chemical weapons

On December 2, the 18th meeting of the member states of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) opened in The Hague (Netherlands). The main topic of this meeting revolved around the issue of destroying Syria's chemical weapons stockpile.

In addition, within the framework of the session, the 188 OPCW members will review the 2012 report on the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Research, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons, as well as activities to destroy chemical weapons; elect new members for the Executive Council for the new term; and approve the 2014 budget.

Inspectors take samples for testing in Syria. Source: AP

The issue of destroying Syria's chemical weapons stockpile will be further discussed at a special open session on December 5 with the participation of experts and independent activists, to jointly consider how to destroy the chemical weapons stockpile and the final conclusions of private corporations on the destruction of this stockpile.

Up to this point, the US has accepted the destruction of about 500 tons of powerful chemical weapons in Syria's arsenal and the destruction is expected to be carried out on a ship in the Mediterranean Sea.

These are considered the most dangerous weapons that require hydrolysis and cannot be destroyed by conventional incinerators and are not allowed to be brought across national borders.

For the remaining approximately 800 tons of less dangerous weapons, approximately 35 corporations have expressed interest in participating in the destruction work.

According to the roadmap for destroying Syria's chemical weapons stockpile approved by the OPCW Executive Council, most of the most dangerous chemical weapons must be dismantled by the end of this year and will be destroyed between mid-December 2013 and mid-March 2014.

Some other weapons will be destroyed outside Syria in April 2014 and this work will be completed by June 30, 2014. A specific plan for the destruction of the arsenal outside Syria will be approved by the OPCW on December 17.

According to VNA