Mr Chairman,
Sweden shares the commitment reflected in this room today, to achieve, as soon as possible, an effective verification regime which will strengthen compliance with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
A particularly alarming aspect of biological weapons is that they may end up in the hands of non-State actors and become tools of terrorism.
The international community must make every effort to ensure that the ban of these weapons is upheld. Strengthening the Convention will improve the security of all States Parties.
Concluding the negotiations of a protocol is a matter of high priority for the Swedish Government. We are pleased to see that so many States from different regions of the world share this view, by attending this meeting or associating themselves with the Declaration presented by Australia and by you, Mr. Chairman.
In order to strengthen the Convention, Sweden believes four key elements to be vital in the Protocol; declarations, visits, investigations and a small, cost-effective organisation. It is essential that the Protocol comprises on-site measures with respect to declared facilities. A careful balance has to be struck between credible verification of compliance and the necessity of avoiding an undue burden on industry and to protect proprietary information.
Sweden will continue, in the Ad Hoc Group in Geneva, to actively promote agreement on a combination of mechanisms that will, in a meaningful manner, provide reliable assurances that the undertakings by States Parties are complied with.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.