HAVANA, Cuba.- Cuba called on Wednesday in Geneva to the creation of a multilateral, comprehensive and non-discriminatory process leading to an effective strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention, in pursuit of the achievement of its objectives.

While speaking at the meeting of experts of the State Parties to the Convention, Juan Antonio Quintanilla, Cuban representative to Geneva, reaffirmed his country’s stance with regard to the voluntary codes of conduct and other measures to encourage the responsible behavior of scientists, academies and industries.

Cuba is convinced that the current need noticed by the international community of achieving alternatives for protection is based on the lack of a legal binding and non-discriminatory instrument that strengthens the Convention in a comprehensive way, he pointed out.

According to a note by the www.cubaminrex.cu Web site, the Cuban representative considered that the codes of conduct for scientists can be beneficial, but that these codes, by themselves, can’t solve the problem of the threat that the use of this type of armament represents.

Finally, the diplomat reiterated his country’s willingness to participate in the international debate on the devising of regulations and precepts for the scientists working in spheres related to the Biological Weapons Convention.