Mr. Vice-Chair,

I speak on behalf of the European Union.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia,  Montenegro, Serbia and Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Ukraine, and Georgia align themselves with this statement.

In case of investigation of alleged use, the EU recognises that the only existing international independent mechanism for investigating alleged use of biological weapons is the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism for the investigation of alleged use of chemical and biological weapons (UNSGM). The EU recalls its strong and long-standing support to the UNSGM and its operationalisation in line with the 2018 UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament ‘Securing our Common Future’. On 2 June 2020, the EU adopted a Decision that provides funding in support of projects aimed at operationalising the UNSGM specifically regarding alleged use of biological weapons.

I thank you, Mr. Vice-Chair.

*The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.