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Russia, China, Denmark coordinate Syrian mission
January 14, 2014, 1:54 pm

Syria's chemical weapons will be transported outside its territory to ensure their destruction within a deadline of June 30, 2014 [Xinhua]

Syria’s chemical weapons will be transported outside its territory to ensure their destruction within a deadline of June 30, 2014 [Xinhua]

China, Russia and Denmark has successfully coordinated to ensure safe shipping of Syria’s first batch of chemical weapons out of the war-torn country, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“The shipping of chemical weapons is the key to their destruction. China will make concerted efforts with all parties to maintain the positive momentum,” Hong said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry had sent staff to Cyprus to actively communicate with all parties, including the OPCW-UN joint mission, Russia and Denmark.

Chinese warship Yancheng will continue to make necessary tactical coordination with Russian and Danish naval vessels in preparation for the shipping and escort mission, Hong said.

Russia’s Defence Ministry was quoted by ITAR-Tass agency as saying the ships are making a transit to the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.

“On January 7, the Pyotr Velikiy heavy missile cruiser in close cooperation with China’s missile frigate ‘Yancheng’ carried out a responsible task to accompany and ensure security of the Danish ship ‘Ark Futura’ with the first batch of chemical weapons,” reads a Russian Defence Ministry statement.

In accordance with the decisions of the UNSC and OPCW, Syria’s chemical weapons will be transported outside its territory to ensure their destruction within a deadline of June 30, 2014.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry called for a partial ceasefire in Syria on Monday.

The two met in Paris on Monday and called for an increase in the flow of international aid to the war-torn nation.

“We talked today about the possibility of trying to encourage a ceasefire. Maybe a localized ceasefire in Aleppo,” said Kerry.

 

Source: Agencies