MOSCOW, November 27. /TASS/. President Vladimir Putin has called on all countries to destroy their chemical weapons stockpiles, following the example of Russia.
"We call on the countries, which have chemical weapons, to follow our example and make every effort to complete soon the elimination of their remaining stockpiles, and the countries, which are outside the international and legal framework of the Convention, to immediately join it," Putin said.
The Russian leader sent his greetings to the delegates of the 22nd Session of the Conference of the States Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The text was published on the Kremlin’s website on Monday.
The last batch of Russia’s chemical weapons was destroyed on September 27, Putin said, calling this "an important step towards a more responsible and stable world."
"I’m sure that the manifestation of a firm political will should allow us to achieve our common goal of creating a world free from chemical weapons," Putin said.
The 22nd Session of the Conference of the States Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is held on November 27-December 1 in The Hague.