An EU-funded technical assistance project has helped Vietnam prepare necessary human resources for nuclear power development, especially advancing technical capacities within legal agencies.

Minister of Science and Technology, Nguyen Quan, made the announcement at a meeting in Hanoi on April 16 to address the results of the EU-funded project regarding the legal framework for nuclear safety in Vietnam.

Quan stressed that the Vietnam-EU bilateral cooperation has grown steadily especially after the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) was signed in 2012.

After a three-year implementation (from May 18, 2012 to present), the project has assisted Vietnam in enhancing state management capabilities the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS) and completing necessary  legal documents on nuclear-related development.

EU Ambassador to Vietnam, Franz Jessen, acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts regarding nuclear development results recently and pledged to share the EU’s nuclear safety and security experience.

Jorge Tirira, project manager, emphasised the importance of implementing the project and discussed the overall experience in minimising and eliminating accidents, as well as coping with nuclear incidents and emergency preparedness.