Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin looks on before the start of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Russia Ministerial Meeting at the 46th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan July 1, 2013. (Reute
Amsterdam:
Myanmar has ratified the chemical weapons convention and will become the 191st member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the body said today, another step in a rapid period of reform for the Asian country.
Myanmar's membership takes effect within 30 day, leaving just Angola, Egypt, Israel, North Korea and South Sudan as countries not to have joined.
"Myanmar is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the convention and looks forward to cooperating with other states parties to bring about a world completely free of chemical weapons," Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin said in a statement.
Myanmar has undergone major changes since shifting to a quasi-civilian system in 2011, although it is now seeing tensions between rival forces vying for power.
The OPCW won the Nobel Peace prize in 2013 for its work in the wake of efforts to rid Syria of its chemical weapons stockpile.
Myanmar's membership takes effect within 30 day, leaving just Angola, Egypt, Israel, North Korea and South Sudan as countries not to have joined.
"Myanmar is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the convention and looks forward to cooperating with other states parties to bring about a world completely free of chemical weapons," Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin said in a statement.
Myanmar has undergone major changes since shifting to a quasi-civilian system in 2011, although it is now seeing tensions between rival forces vying for power.
The OPCW won the Nobel Peace prize in 2013 for its work in the wake of efforts to rid Syria of its chemical weapons stockpile.
© Thomson Reuters 2015
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
