Brussels, 20/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 19 December, a spokesperson for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton announced that the European Union has promised €12 million in funding for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the destruction of chemical weapons, in recognition of the unprecedented importance of their destruction. The cash will be on top of aid from the member states. Germany, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg have contributed aid to help pay for the commercial elimination of chemicals that have to be removed from Syria, states the body, welcoming the crucial aid from the EU.
Catherine Ashton's spokesperson said that the EU had pledged to support OPCW and the UN in destroying the weapons, which could pave the way to a peaceful and sustainable solution to the crisis in Syria.
On 18 December, OPCW called for aid, a spokesperson indicating that initial estimates were that between €35 million and €40 million would be needed for destruction alone, but the fund only had €9.8 million in its coffers. Denmark will provide ships to transport the chemicals and Finland will arrange the transport. (CG/transl.fl)