International cooperation activities should be consulted and widely agreed upon by parties concerned to ensure nuclear security, says Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

PM Dung emphasised that to ensure nuclear security, it is essential to create a consensus of all parties and consider the socio-economic situation of each country as well as the level of nuclear application, especially in developing countries.

He reaffirmed the significance of consolidating the key role of the United Nations (UN) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in promoting nuclear application and ensuring nuclear safety and security.

Developing countries need assistance from developed countries, regional and international organisations and non-governmental organizations to ensure nuclear security, he added.

The Vietnamese PM also said that the IAEA should play the key role in coordinating cooperation between nations, including the implementation of its Nuclear Security Plan from 2010 to 2013.

Delegates focused their discussions on international actions to ensure nuclear security and increase the role of international organizations, especially the IAEA in attaining this goal. They also approved the joint statement and an action plan for the future.

The leaders said that the risk of nuclear war has reduced, while the risk of nuclear terrorism is increasing. Ensuring nuclear security has become a common goal that requires close cooperation among all nations around the world, they underlined.

Vietnam enhances international cooperation

On the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC, PM Dung had meetings with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Myung Bak, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In his meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, PM Dung confirmed that Vietnam always attached a great deal of importance to strengthening cooperation with the UN and its agencies.

Mr Ban appreciated the effectiveness of the cooperation between the UN and Vietnam and the implementation of the initiative “One UN” in Vietnam, describing it as a model in implementing this programme.

He also praised Vietnam for its achievements in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and hoped that the country will actively participate in a conference to be held in New York later this year to review the 10 years MDG implementation.

While meeting with RoK President, PM Dung expressed his delight at the fine development in the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK, especially in trade and investment.

Both sides agreed to increase cooperation within multilateral frameworks, especially when Vietnam is holding the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the RoK is G-20 Chair.

At a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Mr Dung said he was pleased at the close friendship and fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and Canada.

The two PMs discussed specific measures to boost cooperation between the two countries in the future.

Mr Harper said that Canada wants to develop relations with Vietnam in various fields, including investment and trade. He suggested that both countries work closely at international forums, especially when Vietnam is currently chairing ASEAN and Canada is similarly holding the chairmanship of G-8 and co-chairmanship of G-20.

Mr Dung noted that Vietnam applauds Canada’s decision to join ASEAN’s Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and boost multi-faceted cooperation with ASEAN.

At another meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, PM Dung highlighted the remarkable progress in Vietnam-US relations and suggested that Vietnam and the US promote exchanges of high-level visits to boost bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.

The two sides should actively implement agreements on education and training, as well as issues relating to Agent Orange victims.

Vietnam and the US should work together to adapt to climate change and rising sea levels, while boosting multilateral cooperation, including the cooperation between ASEAN and the US, he said.

Secretary Hillary Clinton highly valued PM Dung’s attendance at the Nuclear Security Summit, as well as Vietnam’s increasing standing in the international arena.

She affirmed that the US wants to foster relations with Vietnam and considers Vietnam as a key partner in Southeast Asia. She also agreed to measures to enhance multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

She expressed her hope that the US-ASEAN relations will develop strongly in 2010 when Vietnam is holding ASEAN Chair.

Source: VOV