National Contact Point

In order to facilitate coordination and cooperation, a State Party requesting technical assistance should designate a 'National Contact Point' to liaise with the Council of the EU over the conduct of technical assistance activities. This may be a person, or office, with the requisite authority in the State for overseeing implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and conducting relations between the State and the Council of the EU.

The 6th Review Conference of the BTWC (2006) also encouraged 'States Parties to designate a national focal point for coordinating national implementation of the Convention and communicating with other States Parties and relevant international organizations'.

Liaison with the Council of the EU

A State Party receiving a technical assistance visit is required to liaise with the Council of the EU (through its National Contact Point) to provide information that is requested for the legislation evaluation and technical assistance visit.

Liaison with the Legal Coordinator

A State Party receiving technical assistance is requested to:

• Liaise with the Legal Coordinator concerning the provision of assistance; and
• Provide copies of BTWC-relevant legislation and other measures to the Legal Coordinator to aid the preparation of assistance activities.