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Russia to spend some $9 bln for elimination of chem wpns by 2015

As of April 29, 2012, a total of 24,962 tonnes of toxic agents have been eliminated in Russia

MOSCOW, May 4 (Itar-Tass) — Russia will spend on the elimination of chemical weapons some 9 billion US dollars by 2015, RF Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Georgy Kalamanov said at the 68th session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) held in Moscow.

The OPCW Executive Council is comprised of the representatives of 41 Member States, who are elected by all other OPCW Member States to serve two-year terms. The Executive Council usually meets four times per year, and more frequently in meetings and informal consultations, to take policy decisions that enable the OPCW to function.

As of April 29, 2012, a total of 24,962 tonnes of toxic agents have been eliminated in Russia, with accounts for 62.5 percent of their total quantity and corresponds to the plan on the destruction of the remaining chemical weapons at that date. Kalamanov stressed the work is currently underway to build up the capacities at the existing facilities for the elimination of chemical weapons. The construction of the last facility – Kizner is going at a high pace. According to the schedule, its first phase is to become operational in the second quarter of 2013.

It is planned to complete the destruction of chemical weapons remaining in Russia by December 31, 2015, said the deputy industry and trade minister. This date is included in the Russian detailed plan for the elimination of the remaining chemical weapons.

Russia is currently actively implementing the federal program for the elimination of chemical weapons. An open working group for the preparation of materials for the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will soon be formed within the framework of this program.