The Convention has been put before the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for ratification. The parliament has already begun to work actively on the instrument. In its message to the Conference the State Duma has expressed its intention to complete the ratification process if possible in the autumn of the current year, while underlining the importance of taking into account issues of significance for Russia in the decisions of the Conference. In the period leading up to ratification of the Convention, Russia intends to refrain from any actions which would detract from the purpose and goals of the Convention. We have taken steps to ensure that toxic chemicals and their precursors are developed, produced and acquired, stored, transferred and used only for purposes not prohibited under the Convention.
Preparations are also under way in Russia for the actual destruction of chemical weapons.
Federal legislation for the elimination of such weapons has been adopted. Russia would be ready to provide OPCW with information on its stocks of chemical weapons and their location, and to take part in measures to provide assistance where possible in CW protection and in economic and research cooperation under articles X and XI of the Convention. It is our view that this will be facilitated by the establishment of machinery giving Russia an opportunity to participate in the drafting and adoption of decisions taking into account its political and defence interests. All this would also create conditions for Russia's entry into OPCW in such a way that it could immediately play a full role in the organization's activities. I hope that the first session of the Conference will carefully address the issues we have raised.