Vietnam highlights trust building in settling chemical weapon issue in Sysia

The United Nations Security Council assesses the implementation of Resolution 2118 (2013) concerning chemical weapon issues in Syria at a meeting on October 4. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has highlighted the importance of building trust in solving the chemical weapon issue in Syria.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the implementation of Resolution 2118 (2013) regarding the settlement of Syria’s chemical weapon issue on December 8, he underlined the need to fully comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) as well as enhancing international cooperation and support for this goal.

In order to completely solve the chemical weapon-related issue in Syria, the ambassador said it is necessary to build trust and strengthen constructive and non-politicised cooperation between relevant parties and in the international community.

Presenting an update on the implementation of Resolution 2118, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu reported the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Secretariat and the Syrian Government are focusing on handling 20 outstanding issues relating to Syria’s initial declaration at the request of CWC.

Nakamitsu said that the 25th technical consultation between the two sides has not yet taken place due to some discrepancies, adding that the two sides will continue to arrange an in-person meeting between Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and OPCW Director General to solve the chemical weapon issues in Syria.

At the meeting, members of the UNSC expressed deep concern about the use of chemical weapons and called for increased collaboration in preventing this action. They also underscored the need to promote cooperation between the OPCW Secretariat and Syria to resolve outstanding issues, towards the full implementation of the CWC and Resolution 2118./.