MOSCOW. Nov 26 (Interfax-AVN) - The project of constructing a gas pipe to a chemical weapons destruction plant being built in Shchychye (Kurgan region), Zinovy Pak, director general of the Russian Ammunition Agency (RAA), told Interfax-Military News Agency Tuesday.
He reminded that on October 17, 2001, RAA signed a contract with the Italian company Aquater in the framework of the agreement on assistance in destroying Russian chemical weapons stockpiles. The provisions of the contract include participation of the Italian company in constructing the Shumikha-Shchuchye gas pipe with allocation of ITL15bn (USD7.77m) by the Italian government.
According to Pak, the implementation of the project began June 1, 2002. It is to be over next year. He also said that the gas pipe construction would be a huge contribution of Italy to the infrastructure of the Shchuchye nerve gas destruction plant. The position of the Italian side in the political and practical issues related to chemical weapons destruction is appreciated as active and business-like.
"Italy has contributed much to the development and advancement of the initiative passed at the Cananaskis summit as the Global Partnership Program for nonproliferation of mass destruction weapons and related materials", he said.
Pak appreciated the great personal contribution of Gianfranco Facco Bonetti, ambassador of Italy in the Russian Federation, whose support, according to Pak, plays a prominent part in the development of constructive cooperation between Russia and Italy, where the issues of chemical disarmament are concerned.