Mr. President,

I thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing.

The ninety-first monthly report of the OPCW Director General yet again points to the identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies in Syrian regime’s chemical weapons declaration. The report confirms that the declaration cannot be considered accurate and complete.

The presence of an undeclared chemical weapons production facility continues to be a matter of great concern.

The regime still fails to declare the chemical warfare agents produced and/or weaponised at this site, in violation of its obligations.

The analysis of the samples collected during the 23rd round of inspections by Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) in September 2020 has revealed the existence of a chemical warfare agent previously not declared by the regime. The analysis by the DAT hints at further undeclared production activities by the regime, strengthening the suspicions about its clandestine chemical weapons programme.

This may well add another item in the long list of outstanding issues regarding Assad regime’s chemical weapons declaration.

It is unacceptable that the regime has not yet made a complete and accurate declaration of its chemical weapons programme. This constitutes a serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The Security Council must act in unity to make the regime fully cooperate with the OPCW and immediately declare the full extent of its chemical weapons programme.

Mr. President,

Türkiye supported the OPCW Executive Council decision of July 2020, which required the Syrian regime to declare the chemical weapons it used during the Ltamenah attacks in 2017 and the production facilities they are developed, as well as the chemical weapons it currently possesses. It also urged the regime resolve all of the outstanding issues regarding its initial declaration.

The regime’s denial to fulfill its obligations under this decision called for further measures. Accordingly, a decision was adopted with overwhelming majority during the second part of the OPCW 25th Conference of State Parties, which Türkiye also co-sponsored.

This decision provides a measured response in the face of Syrian regime’s persistent non-compliance with its obligations. We welcome its adoption as an important contribution towards accountability in Syria.

Mr. President,

The use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime against its own people is well documented, with an ever-growing track-record.

Most recently, the report by the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) identified that on 4 February 2018, chlorine was used by the regime air force in an attack against civilians in Saraqib.

With this latest IIT report, it has now been proven that the Assad regime is responsible for at least eight chemical weapons attacks.

We strongly condemn the use of chemical weapons by the regime.

The IIT has a unique role in identifying the perpetrators of chemical weapons use.

The lack of cooperation with the IIT, including visa denial and refusal to grant access to confidential information relating to its chemical military program proves the regime’s attempts to hide the truth.

Türkiye reiterates its support to the independent, professional and impartial work carried out by the OPCW Technical Secretariat and its investigative bodies.

Mr. President,

Last week marked the 24th anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention’s entry into force. We should continue our efforts to ensure that the Convention is upheld and effectively implemented. The Syrian case presents a litmus test in this regard.

The regime’s violation of international law and its crimes against humanity cannot go unanswered.

Ending impunity is a pressing task for the international community, particularly for the Security Council.

This is the only way to honor the victims of chemical weapons attacks and achieve peace in Syria.

Thank you.