Brussels: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on Wednesday warned of the dangers posed by chemical weapons to international peace and security. In a statement marking the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare, Borrell said that the use of these weapons constitutes a violation of international law and can amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Borrell emphasized that “no one should use chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, or under any circumstances.” Referring to reports of increasing use of chemical agents by Russia against Ukrainian soldiers, Borrell said, “Russia continues its deliberate attacks on civilian industrial facilities, putting Ukrainian citizens at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals.” He reaffirmed the EU’s support for national and international efforts to hold those responsible for the use of these prohibited weapons in Syria, Russia, and beyond accountable, regardless of their positions. H
e called for the strengthening and enforcement of international conventions against chemical weapons to ensure accountability.
Nevertheless, Borrell considered the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to be successful in eliminating an entire category of weapons of mass destruction through the verified destruction of declared stockpiles, making it the world’s most successful disarmament treaty. Despite the progress made, the proliferation of chemical weapons remains to be a serious threat to global peace and security, he reaffirmed.