25/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 25 July, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, congratulated Fernando Arias on his appointment to the post of Director-General to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This Spanish diplomat was appointed last November and will take up his role on 25 July. In his press release, the spokesperson emphasises that “The European Union looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with the OPCW and its new Director-General” and adds that the organisation can count on the full support of the EU in its activities. He also pointed out that “The European Union is a staunch supporter of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which has a central role in the effective implementation and universalisation of the Convention”. Over the past 15 years, the EU has provided more than €30 million to the OPCW. (CG)