Mikdad to Kaag: Western countries responsible for any delay in resolving chemical issue in Syria

Damascus, SANA. Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad on Wednesday met head of the joint mission of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Sigrid Kaag, discussing with her and the accompanying delegation the latest developments regarding the Syrian chemical issue and the significant progress made in terms of Syria upholding its commitments entailed by joining the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Mikdad asserted Syria’s continuing commitment to constructive cooperation and coordination with the join mission until the chemical issue is fully resolved, noting that Syria treated this matter with utmost transparency, as proven by the great achievements in this regard despite the difficult security circumstances.

“While Syria showed commitment to fulfilling its commitments regarding this issue, some states which are known to everyone worked to provide all sorts of support for armed terrorist groups as to hinder the fulfillment of Syria’s commitments,” he said, asserting that western states assume the responsibility for any delay in resolving the chemical issue due to their constant attempts to politicize it.

Mikdad said that despite this aggressive course adopted by those states and their terrorist pawns, Syria will continue to carry out its remaining commitments as per the Chemical Weapons Conventions as soon as possible.

For her part, Kaag voiced satisfaction over what was achieved and the great success in terms of Syria honoring its commitments during this stage, adding that these achievements couldn’t have been realized without the clear Syrian cooperation with the join mission and Syria’s earnestness in dealing with its international responsibilities despite the difficult security circumstances.

H. Sabbagh