Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh reaffirmed Việt Nam’s support of comprehensive nuclear weapon disarmament . — Photo mofa.gov.vn

WASHINGTON DC (VNS) — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh reaffirmed Việt Nam’s support of comprehensive nuclear weapon disarmament and nuclear weapon non-proliferation, while emphasising the rights of countries to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. 

The Vietnamese official made the remark at the 4th Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC last week, which focused on issues related to nuclear security.
Minh along with senior officials from 52 other member nations at the Summit approved the meeting’s Statement and Action Plans for five international initiatives and organisations in the field.
In his speech at the Summit, the Vietnamese official appreciated the efforts made by member countries over the last six years to ensure nuclear security, stressing that the global nuclear security structure and public awareness of nuclear security was improved, and international treaties on nuclear security were widely ratified.
He also highlighted the role played by international organisations and multilateral initiatives, especially the leading role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in ensuring nuclear security.
He said terrorism, especially nuclear terrorism, and nuclear weapons proliferation continued to threaten peace and security, and undermine the legitimate rights of countries in using nuclear energy for their development.
Việt Nam strongly backed the Summit’s Statement and five Action Plans, he said.
Minh also underlined the need to promote co-ordination and information sharing among international mechanisms, as well as among countries, to fight potential nuclear terrorism and to enhance nuclear security.
Việt Nam was a member of almost all international treaties on nuclear weapon disarmament and non-proliferation, Minh stated, adding that the country was ready for its participation in the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.
In the post of Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors 2013-2014, Việt Nam contributed to the activities of the organisation, especially in ensuring nuclear security and safety, Minh said.
He also affirmed Việt Nam’s commitment to facilitating the application of peacful nuclear technology, including ensuring security for nuclear power development.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Vietnamese official had separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Swiss President Johann Schneider-Amman, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Romanian Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu.
During the meetings, they discussed specific measures to further boost multi-faceted co-operation for the development of Việt Nam and relevant countries, and for peace and stability in the region and the world.  — VNS