ingredients necessary for good diplomacy. Allow me at the same time to thank Ambassador Benhima, who welcomed me to Geneva so cordially, and your predecessor, Ambassador Wagenmakers, for the patience and tenacity with which he discharged his functions in the delicate starting-up phase. I would like to assure the future President, Ambassador Kamal of the very committed and convinced co-operation of the Italian delegation. Finally, allow me to express my appreciation for the valuable support being provided by the secretariat, thanks in particular to Ambassador Komatina and Ambassador Berasategui. None of you, I believe, will be surprised if ray first statement is entirely devoted to the negotiations for the total and universal prohibition and elimination of chemical weapons. Many speakers have already stressed their central role in the present context of our work; and you are all, I think, familiar with Italy's commitment in this area, at the political level - I would say - first of all, here and elsewhere, in constantly repeating opportune et importune , as St. Paul would say, our conviction of the importance and urgency of the problem. We are now entering a phase of the negotiations which we all consider to be the final stage, while divergences remain among us concerning the consideration of the time factor and questions requiring prior solution. In numerous statements made by eminent colleagues who have long been participating in these negotiations, it has been maintained that we are involved in a way in a race against time. I fully subscribe to this statement. If we are not able to speed up the pace of our deliberations, we will face the risk of a growing dyscrasia between the evolution of the real situation and the ideal point towards which our debates are converging. CD/PV.547 3 (Mr. Negrotto Cambiasco, Italy )
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement made by an Italian representative in an international forum, likely the United Nations. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating a high-level meeting or conference. The topic of the speech is the negotiations for the total and universal prohibition and elimination of chemical weapons, which suggests that the category will be related to international relations or disarmament.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief