Nuclear energy is for not only developed countries but also developing countries like Vietnam which can implement and apply nuclear energy in its economic development, said IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Amano made this statement to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh at a reception in Hanoi on Oct. 3.

Amano spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts to apply nuclear energy into socio-economic development and said he believes that Vietnam will soon be successful in the field.

He said he hoped the cooperation between IAEA and Vietnam will be further accelerated and more effective.

Deputy PM Ninh said Vietnam’s relatively fast economic development has produced an increasing demand for energy and nuclear energy is a solution that Vietnam needs in the future.

Vietnam pledges to apply nuclear energy to its socio-economic development for peaceful purposes, said the deputy PM.

He said he hoped IAEA will continue assisting Vietnam in finalising a law on ensuring nuclear energy safety, building nuclear energy infrastructure, completing management apparatus in the field and sharing experience in applying nuclear energy in socio-economic development.

At another reception for IAEA Director General Amano, in Hanoi on the same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh asked the IAEA to continue to help Vietnam, especially in the implementation of the nuclear power programme to serve the country’s socio-economic development.

Minh spoke highly of IAEA’s role and contributions to coordinating international efforts in promoting the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and strengthening nuclear safety and security.

He affirmed that while advocating and joining international efforts for nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, Vietnam treasures countries’ legitimate rights to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, with safety and security as top priorities.

Amano spoke highly of the cooperation between IAEA and Vietnam and praised the Vietnamese Government’s effort in ensuring nuclear safety and security as well as using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

He also pledged further support to Vietnam in developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes in the future./.