The Syrian request to accede to the international Chemical Weapons Convention is a positive first step to securing the chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria, which we and others have demanded.

It is now of the utmost importance that Syria meet the related obligations for the disclosure, control and destruction of its chemical weapons.

We will judge Damascus on whether it now follows up this first step with rigorous progress towards implementation.
Together with our partners, we will continue to vigorously push to ensure that every opportunity for a political solution in the Syrian conflict is seized.