Fernando Arias: OPCW Visit to Damascus Paves the Way for Closing Syria’s File Permanently

ARK News.. The Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has announced that his recent visit to Damascus lays the groundwork for the final closure of Syria’s chemical weapons file.

Fernando Arias stated that his meetings in Damascus were "lengthy, productive, and highly open, involving an in-depth exchange of information." He emphasized that this engagement "will serve as a foundation for achieving tangible results and breaking the deadlock that has persisted for more than eleven years."

In an official statement, Arias described the visit as a significant first step toward re-establishing direct working relations between the OPCW Technical Secretariat and Syria, following over a decade of stagnation and lack of progress under the previous authorities.

During the discussions, both sides addressed Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the role and mandate of the OPCW, and the type of support the Technical Secretariat could provide to the new Syrian government in eliminating any remaining aspects of its chemical weapons program.

Arias underscored that the visit marks "a new beginning after 11 years of obstruction by the ousted regime," highlighting that the new Syrian authorities now have a chance to turn the page and fully comply with their commitments under the convention.

He concluded by stating that this visit "lays the foundation for collaborative efforts to permanently close Syria’s chemical weapons file, ensure long-term compliance, enhance regional stability, and contribute to international peace and security."

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