The European Union congratulates Fernando Arias on his appointment as the new Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The European Union is a staunch supporter of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which has a central role in the effective implementation and universalisation of the Convention. Having contributed more than €30 million to the OPCW over the last decade and a half, we remain unwavering in our commitment to completely eliminating chemical weapons and preventing their re-emergence.

At a time when the repeated use of chemical weapons in Syria, Iraq, Malaysia and on European soil, in the United Kingdom, seriously threatens the chemical weapons non-proliferation regime, closer cooperation among international organisations is crucial. The outcome of the Special Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention held on 26 and 27 June in The Hague testifies to the resolve of the international community, including the European Union, to reject the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances.

The European Union looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with the OPCW and its new Director-General. The Organisation plays a crucial role in upholding a rules-based global order, effective multilateralism and international law, and can count on the full support of the European Union in its activities.