Russian diplomat meets US, UN officials to focus on Syria’s chemical weapons agreements

Further implementation of agreements putting Syria’s chemical weapons under international control topped the agenda of the talks among Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Arms Control Rose Gottemoeller and Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation Thomas Countryman, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. “The bilateral consultations focused on the situation around Syria, including further implementation of agreements placing Syria’s chemical weapons under international control,” the ministry said. “Much attention was paid to pressing issues on the agenda of Russian-U.S. relations and international security with a focus on missile defense.” The officials also exchanged opinions on destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons in the format of Russia, the United States and the United Nations. Taking part in the talks were also UN Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Susana Malcorra, and UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Angela Kane. “During the talks they discussed the UN Secretary-General’s considerations on the creation of a joint mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations to ensure timely and safe elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons,” the ministry said.