THE HAGUE, December 18. /ITAR-TASS/. Plans to eliminate Syrian chemical weapons aboard an American vessel are "pragmatic and quite feasible". Such an appraisal was given on here on Wednesday by Vasily Titushkin, Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

"This technology, as American colleagues tell us, is a well tried and tested one and involves no particular complexities," he remarked. "We have grounds to be confident that the Americans have calculated all risks and are prepared to ensure safety at the highest level because they are aware of the measure of responsibility for the outcome of the operation to eliminate Syrian chemical weapons".

Answering why Russia is not viewed as a country which can eliminate chemical weapons from Syria in its territory, Titushkin explained that "Russian legislation straightforwardly and without any exceptions prohibits the importation and exportation of combat chemical agents". "However, Russia intends to render material, technical and financial assistance in the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons, in their removal, in particular," the diplomat specified.

On Wednesday, the OPCW made a decision, according to which the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons outside Syria will be carried out aboard an American vessel. The operation is to be completed by March 31, 2014.