The Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has unanimously decided today (16 October 2009) to propose to the 14th Conference of the States Parties due to take place in early December, the name of Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations office in Geneva, as the sole candidate for the post of Director-General of the Organisation.

At the background of this result achieved lies Turkey’s determination and role in global matters, its increasing foreign policy activities in every field, as well as the precious support provided to the election process by our President, Prime Minister and Government. With this support, our Ministry and Ambassador Üzümcü have made intensive and coordinated efforts. It will be recalled by the Turkish public opinion that, the election to high-level international posts of Messrs. Hikmet Çetin, Kemal Derviş and Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu have similarly been possible due to outstanding qualities of our candidates and effective campaigns conducted by our Ministry. Turkey’s election to non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council with record number of votes should also be recalled in this context.

It is worth noting that the election of Ambassador Üzümcü from among seven candidates with the support of all countries is a clear sign of the high regard accorded to our candidate. We consider that the success of Ambassador Üzümcü also reflects the appreciation by the international community of the principled and effective policies pursued by Turkey in the field of arms control and disarmament. Turkey shall persevere in these policies and in her support to the OPCW with determination.