Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano has spoken highly of Vietnam’s preparations for nuclear power development, pledging more support from the agency to the country in this field.

At a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on January 9, the IAEA leader highlighted the achievements Vietnam has recorded in the application of nuclear power for peaceful purposes as well as in international integration.

He described Vietnam as an important partner of the IAEA and the international community, especially in its capacity as President of the IAEA’s Boards of Governors.

The IAEA’s projects providing technical assistance to the country in the past have reaped major results, he said, before committing more efforts to further promoting the fine cooperative ties between the two sides.

Informing his host of the international nuclear safety and security situation, the guest said the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan has raised the necessity to establish an independent legal agency in order to better deal with such incidents.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Minh also reflected on the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and the IAEA, especially the agency’s effective assistance to the country in the application of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.

He also commented on the agency’s support to in healthcare, construction, agriculture and industry, calling for more assistance in the time to come.

Pursuing a foreign policy of active and proactive international integration, Vietnam has taken part in and made significant contributions to many agencies and held important positions on international bodies, Minh continued.

He cited the country’s Chairmanship of the IAEA’s Board of Governors for the 2013-2014 tenure, pledging that as a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam will continue contributing to joint efforts in disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and ensuring nuclear safety and security.

This is the second visit by the IAEA Director General to Vietnam following an earlier trip in October, 2011. The visit, from January 7-11, is being made at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Minh.-VNA