Statement by Minister Tuomioja on biological weapons in Geneva on 27 March 2000

Statement by Minister Tuomioja on biological weapons in Geneva on 27 March 2000

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Erkki Tuomioja, underlined today in Geneva the importance of effective monitoring of biological weapons. He hoped that the negotiations on such a regime would soon lead to a successful conclusion. Tuomioja noted that according to the European Union, the Protocol to strengthen the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) should be concluded as soon as possible before the Fifth Review Conference of the Parties in 2001.

Minister Tuomioja noted also that Finland strives for a credible protocol, which would significantly strengthen the effectiveness of and ensure compliance with the Convention. Finland has started preparations for the national implementation of the future protocol.

The BTWC entered into force 25 years ago, on 26 March, 1975. It was a significant arms control achievement, which provided for an elimination of an entire class of weapons. The Convention, however, lacks provisions of verification. The negotiations on a verification protocol started in 1995 in Geneva.

The text of the statement by Minister Tuomioja held in Geneva on 27 March, 2000, can be found on this site in the speeches-section.