Finland has a strong role in the dismantling of Syrian chemical weapons programme

The chemical weapon attacks that took place in Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, in August last year led to investigation of the use of chemical weapons by an UN-led investigation mission. The Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (Verifin), one of four laboratories chosen by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), analysed the material collected in Syria by the UN investigation mission for the use of chemical weapons. The selection of Verifin for the task indicated that the Institute is highly respected internationally. 

Photo: U.S. Navy, Desmond Parks
Cape Ray lasti
Cape Ray shipped effluent to Finland as a part of commercial agreement between Ekokem and the OPCW.

These events also launched substantive disarmament efforts that have aimed at dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons programme.  Finland, along with the rest of the international community, has had a strong role in supporting the OPCW-UN Joint Mission that has been implementing the dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.  This has been a unique mission, and a large group of countries has been involved in its various stages.

Finland supported the OPCW’s activities right from the start, granting financing for the OPCW trust funds established in support of the mission. In addition, a Finnish CBRN team (chemical, biological radiological and nuclear, CBRN) that ensured the safe transport of the chemicals participated in the maritime transport operation led by Denmark and Norway. The Finnish unit consisted mainly of personnel specialized in CBRN reconnaissance and the safe and secure handling of chemical materials.

When the Cape Ray vessel of the United States concentrated on neutralizing the most hazardous chemicals brought from Syria, a Finnish vessel protection detachment unit, as part of a multinational task, took part in protecting the Cape Ray in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Photo: U.S. Navy Desmond Parks
Cape Ray merellä
US MV Cape Ray participates in the OPCW-UN Joint Mission.

The vessels that participated in shipments of the material, the Taiko, the Ark Futura and the Cape Ray, in turn brought the chemicals and the neutralised effluent to Finland as part of the commercial arrangement between Ekokem and the OPCW. This cooperation chain is an excellent example of the exceptional nature of the entire Joint Mission and Finland’s active role in the various stages of the mission. The OPCW-UN Joint Mission has accomplished much in a year.

Destruction of both the industrial chemicals that had been part of the Syrian programme and the effluent will still continue in Finland and elsewhere for a number of months. Ekokem is involved in this central task having won the OPCW tender on the destruction of chemicals by commercial facilities. Receiving the chemicals in Finland constitutes a significant contribution as the share of material received by Ekokem is quantitatively the most notable.

As Finland has highlighted in the OPCW and various international forums, the chlorine attacks that occurred in Syria in spring require in-depth investigations and their findings must be reported to the OPCW’s Executive Council. Finland has also expressed that the Syrian declaration to the OPCW on its chemical weapons programme calls for further clarifications, and that the destruction of production facilities used by Syria to manufacture chemical weapons should be completed.

Finland is a member of the OPCW Executive Council in the years 2014–2016.