Undersecretary meets French officials

Manama, Mar. 27(BNA): The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of the National Committee on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Development, Production, Use and Stockpiling and on their Destruction, Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al-Khalifa, met the Director of Strategic, Security and Disarmament Affairs of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Nicolas Roche, during her visit to the French Republic. The Undersecretary reviewed the most prominent work and achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, namely the review of legislation, regulations and decisions necessary for the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, thus ensuring strengthening the national legislative system in order to stay in track with developments in this area. She referred to significant national mechanisms established by the Kingdom of Bahrain to ensure the application of international conventions on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through the role of the National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. She highlighted the most important responsibilities entrusted to the National Committee, including follow-up to the implementation of all conventions, treaties and protocols as well as Security Council resolutions on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and participation in relevant international meetings and conferences. She added that their responsibilities also include the monitoring of all chemical activities related to the work of the National Committee, in order to ensure the effective application of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based on the Kingdom's keenness and belief in the need to comply with the content of this Convention and to pursue its role in the maintenance of international peace and security. She noted the pivotal role played by the National Committee in communicating with international organizations and agencies concerned with the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction. She pointed out that the National Committee is keen to carry out its tasks within the framework of the international system and in cooperation with relevant regional and international organizations. She commended the essential role played by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and its keenness to ensure that States parties implement their international obligations. The Director of Strategic, Security and Disarmament Affairs commended the commitment of the Kingdom of Bahrain to prohibit the use and proliferation of chemical weapons, stressing the importance of implementing the agreement on the prohibition of chemical weapons and the agreement on the prohibition of biological weapons in order to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The two sides affirmed the importance of enhancing their existing cooperation in the field of the prohibition of chemical weapons development, production, use and stockpiling and their destruction in order to achieve their desired goals of international peace and security. Dr. Shaikha Rana also met with the Director of North Africa and Middle East Department at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and cooperation and ways of enhancing them. The two sides exchanged viewpoints on regional and international security issues. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the role of the Kingdom of Bahrain in implementing the principles of international law to guarantee the end of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the region. For his part, Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont hailed the Kingdom’s national legislations and mechanisms, set in cooperation with the authorities concerned, in order to maintain peace and stability. Bahrain’s Ambassador to France Dr. Mohammed Abdulghaffar Abdullah, lauded the relations of friendship and cooperation between Bahrain and France, affirming the importance of the visit in serving the interests of both countries.