OPCW urges more support to end chemical weapons

Oslo – The director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ahmet Uzumcu, gave a call Wednesday for more contributions to the cause of eliminating the chemical weapons.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Uzumcu said Norway has really led the way by contributing to the trust fund and providing ships for destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons, Xinhua reported.

“We need more contributions and we will continue to urge all countries to make more contributions.”

Solberg said that getting rid of all chemical weapons is an extremely important mission, which needs support from all nations. “Everyone should contribute to destroying the chemical weapons in Syria,” said the Norwegian prime minister.

Uzumcu, who re! ceived the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize Tuesday, had a talk with Solberg before they met the press. They exchanged their views on options for Norway to participate in destroying Syria’s chemical arsenal.

Norway, in cooperation with Denmark, has already offered to send a frigate to join the efforts of transporting chemical weapons out of Syria.

On Wednesday, Uzumcu also met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, Parliament Speaker Olemic Thommessen and other Norwegian politicians, updating them on the work of the OPCW-UN Joint Mission in Syria.

“This challenging undertaking requires solid international cooperation and strong collective commitment in order to be conducted safely and as swiftly as possible, “said Uzumcu.