Meeting of States Parties to BWC

PRESS RELEASE

On December 5, the meeting of states parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) concluded in Geneva. It had discussed the issues of improving biological security and preventing the use of scientific achievements for purposes contrary to the BWC.

We are satisfied with the constructive discussion, held in the form of an exchange of experience. The Russian delegation actively participated in this work, explaining to countries the need for the high standards in ensuring biological necessity that are being used in Russia. We presume that the meeting will help states parties to the Convention improve the fulfillment of its provisions at the national level.

While recognizing the usefulness of such events for strengthening the Convention regime, we believe that the most effective method of achieving this aim would be the development and adoption of a legally binding mechanism for verifying compliance with the BWC. Once again we stated our position at the meeting in Geneva.

We hope that the upcoming Seventh BWC Review Conference in 2011 will be able to take real effective measures to reinforce the biological and toxin weapons prohibition regime. Russia stands ready to cooperate with all interested countries toward this goal.

December 8, 2008