Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee “Cluster II: other weapons of mass destruction”
Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee “Cluster II: other weapons of mass destruction” on Wednesday, 23 October 2024.
Madam Chair,
Lithuania fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity.
The use of chemical weapons is unacceptable regardless of the location, time, perpetrator, or circumstances. Yet they have been used in the attempted assassination of late Alexei Navalny, as well as in the attempted assassination of Sergei and Yulia Skripal. These days we have firm grounds to believe that the use of Riot Control Agents, irritant gas, improvised explosive devices equipped with ammonia, chloropicrin, by Russian Armed Forces in the war of aggression against Ukraine is increasing in terms of scale and intensity. We strongly denounce these actions backed by massive Russia’s disinformation.
Against this background, we commend the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for monitoring the situation in Ukraine closely. We also very much appreciate the Secretariat’s ongoing work in providing equipment to Ukraine and in training Ukrainian experts to enable Ukraine to respond to contingencies brought about by Russia’s aggression.
Lithuania welcomes Ukraine’s commitment to further deepen cooperation with the Technical Secretariat and to strengthen the capabilities of Ukrainian experts in countering the threat of chemical weapons use. We welcome that Ukraine remains a strong supporter of the Convention and fully complies with its provisions.
Madam Chair,
Another re-emergence of the use of chemical weapons in the past decade happened in Syria. As the Joint Investigative Mechanism and the Investigation and Identification Team of the OPCW have concluded - the Syrian Government has used chemical weapons against its population.
Lithuania attaches great importance to the monitoring undertaken by the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW towards the elimination of the chemical weapons program of Syria. We regret that the declaration submitted by the Syrian Arab Republic still cannot be considered accurate and complete in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. The continuous non-compliance of Syria undermines the objective and purpose of the Convention.
Madam Chair,
I wish to reaffirm Lithuania’s attachment and firm commitment to the global norm against biological weapons and reiterate our support to the efficient functioning and enhanced implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. The outcomes of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention will be of particular importance in this regard. We strongly believe in the progress of implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
We fully support United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons. We value its independence and impartiality.
Lithuania supports universalisation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. These two conventions need to be ratified or acceded by all States without delay and without conditions.
Madam Chair,
Lithuania continues to draw attention to the issue of sea dumped chemical weapons. Let me recall that last year’s UN General Assembly Resolution, sponsored by Lithuania, once again received common understanding and wide support among UN membership. Lithuania invites all member states to co-operate actively on this important matter.
I thank you, Madam Chair.