THE HAGUE, January 11, /ITAR-TASS/. It is timely to talk about the terms to complete the withdrawal of chemical weapons from Syria, Russian deputy representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Vassily Titushkin told Itar-Tass.
The first lot of dangerous chemical substances was withdrawn on Tuesday, January 7. At present, it is aboard the Danish ship, the Russian official said, adding that it was timely to specify when the agents were loaded and withdrawn.
This depends on many factors and the priority task is to ensure security, Titushkin said.
The delay was conditioned by objective reasons. “The latest equipment, which is necessary to transport chemical agents, arrived after New Year while the weather conditions and the security situation were unfavourable,” he said.
Commenting on the results of the January 8 extraordinary session of the OPCW Executive Council, Titushkin said two decisions had been approved.
The first decision is related to an agreement between the OPCW Technical Secretariat and the United States what chemical substances, in what quantity and by what technology they will be eliminated aboard the U.S. ship. The second one is aimed at verifying the process for eliminating chemical weapons aboard the ship by the Technical Secretariat, the Russian diplomat said, adding that part of chemical weapons would be eliminated on the territory of Britain.
“Russia provided 75 trucks and handling facilities. The country will ensure security in the port of Latakia and safety of the route in Syria’s territorial waters. The OPCW praises the results of the December 27 meeting held in Moscow that made it possible to coordinate the activity of the states taking part in the operation,” Titushkins said.