US-Europe World Affairs

Earlier this year, Danish parliament adopted the Resolution B 197 on August 19 which authorized Danish Armed-Forces to take the lead in the international maritime operation for removing chemical from Libya.                                                                                                                                                                                                               The original request was made by Libyan government on February 3, 2016  and  approved by the  Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on July 20th.  

Following that Royal Danish Navy led  the Operation in international maritime transport for removing Libya’s chemical weapons stockpile, starting from August 27, 2016. The chemicals have been transformed from port of Misrata in Libya to a special facility destruction in Germany.

Danish Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its commitment to this operation by stating: 

“Denmark brings substantial experience from its effort in the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons in 2013 and 2014. Denmark has both the capacity and skill to take on this important task in a safe and secure manner”

On Denmark’s Military leadership in the operation,  Defence Minister Peter Christensen stated:

“The Danish Defence has with great distinction – quickly and safely – solved the problem of removing chemicals out of Libya, and these substances can now be destroyed. The Danish Defence has substantial experience with tasks like this, and has once again shown that it is ready when needed to provide a contribution to peace and stability in the world. High praise for our soldiers and deployed personnel from the Danish Emergency Management Agency as well as the Customs and Tax Administration.”   August 31, 2016  © The Royal Danish MFA

“We have now removed the chemical remnants from Libya and have ensured that they will not fall into the wrong hands. This is an important contribution from Denmark to a safer world free of chemical weapons and a contribution that aims to support a more stable Libya. I am proud that the international community through the United Nations and OPCW has asked for Danish assistance, and very pleased that Danish ships and personnel once more has delivered on an important security policy agenda.” elaborated Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen. August 31, 2016  © The Royal Danish MFA

Additional: Denmark will bolster its Military Support to Afghanistan

News from Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
News from Minister Kristian Jensen for Foreign Affairs
News from Danish Mission to NATO
News from former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Image: Danish Vessel in the Operation. August 31, 2016 courtesy of MFA of Denmark.

By Catherine Stella Schmidt  (Copyrighted material)