Vietnam praises IAEA’s central role in international nuclear security structure

Tuesday, March 25, 2014 | 18:13:55

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

(VOVworld) – At a plenary session of the third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that each nation should be aware of its responsibility to ensure nuclear safety.

He said Vietnam had step-by-step completed its legal code on nuclear security, the security of the most intensive radioactive sources and had begun to implement measures to control the import of radioactive substance at airports and seaports. Vietnam has also paid more attention to personnel training, developed a culture of security for relevant agencies, and participated in international initiatives in the field.

Dung acknowledged the central role of the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, in the structure of international nuclear security. Vietnam has contributed to the IAEA’s activities and effectively utilized its support. As a member and President of the IAEA Board of Governors for 2013-2014 tenure, Vietnam will do its best to work towards global nuclear security.

Dung said the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, non-proliferation, and nuclear disarmament were the common goals that humankind should aim for. He also called on countries to outline specific and appropriate solutions to assist developing nations in the field and continue to increase the role of multilateral institutions, especially the IAEA and the UN.

While meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Dung affirmed Vietnam would continue to participate in the important issues that UN members were paying attention to. They include the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, the designing of a post-2015 development agenda, and UN reform. Dung added that Vietnam would make great efforts to fulfill its role as a member of the UN Human Rights Council between 2014 and 2016. Ban spoke highly of Vietnam’s contributions to the UN’s common issues. The Vietnamese leader took the occasion to invite Mr. Ban to visit Vietnam soon.

Talking with Prime Minister Dung, French President Francois Hollande said that both sides had strong links and cultural similarities. The two leaders agreed on enhancing their strategic partnership, in particular completing an action plan on their ties, and implementing specific measures to make the Vietnamese Year in France 2014 a success. President Hollande accepted Prime Minister Dung’s invitation to visit Vietnam.

Later the same day, Prime Minister Dung and world leaders attended two more plenary sessions. He held separate bilateral meetings with leaders from other countries at the summit. The third Nuclear Security Summit will wrap up on Tuesday.