(VOVworld)- Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Monday attended the 3rd Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands. This is an important opportunity for Vietnam to show its consistent policy on using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, ensuring nuclear safety and security and supporting the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Since the 2nd Nuclear Security Summit in the Republic of Korea in 2012, nuclear security and safety has become a common concern of all nations in the world including those who have and those who don’t have nuclear capability. This year’s summit gathers top leaders who are aimed at a common goal of sharing progress made in implementing the commitments of the 2nd summit and mapping out orientations for the current summit.
Efforts to realize commitments to nuclear security and safety
Since Vietnam joined the first Nuclear Security Summit, it has participated in and exerted efforts to realize the Joint Statements of the summits, showing its responsibility in maintaining security effectively and regularly over nuclear and other radioactive materials. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s presence at the 3rd Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands once again demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment regarding nuclear weapons. Spokesperson for Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry Le Hai Binh said:“Attending this summit, the Vietnamese delegation wants to affirm Vietnam’s unswerving policy on using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and ensuring nuclear security and safety and introduce measures that Vietnam has taken within the framework of the Nuclear Security Summit and its contribution to international efforts”.
Enhancing international cooperation in ensuring nuclear security and safety
Vietnam is continuing to fine-tune its legal frameworks regarding nuclear security, safety and inspection in line with new requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In cooperation with the IAEA, Vietnam is undertaking a an Integrated Work Plan for building nuclear power infrastructure in Vietnam. Vietnam is also preparing to set up a Technical Support Center for Nuclear Security and Inspection. In addition to strengthening radiation control, Vietnam has set up a national database on radiation sources and administrative information of all radioactive establishments.
Vietnam has also shared information on illegal trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials, and has closely cooperated with the IAEA by joining the agency’s database. In 2013 alone Vietnam installed and put into operation 20 radiation monitors at Noi Bai International Airport and Cai Mep-Thi Vai port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. Last month Vietnam, the Republic of Korea, and the IAEA signed a protocol on piloting the Radiation Source Location Tracking (RADLOT) system in order to strengthen security management over radioactivity sources in non-destructive inspections. This is part of the commitment between Vietnamese and South Korean Prime Ministers at the second nuclear security summit in Seoul two years ago.
On its path to become modern industrialized country by 2020, Vietnam considers nuclear power development an important project. Vietnam has always closely cooperated with other countries to select appropriate technologies to ensure energy security and at the same time develop science, technology and support industries to ensure nuclear energy safety. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Dinh Tien said:“It is important to get technologies that are safe, secure, effective and most advanced to ensure absolute security in operation. Based on functions, safety criteria, and effective security, Vietnamese experts will select the most appropriate technology”.
Vietnam’s participation in the Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands affirms its consistent policy on nuclear weapon disarmament, non-proliferation and using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It also shows Vietnam’s responsibility to the international community, especially with Vietnam serving the Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors in the 2013-2014 term.