VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam and the United States today signed an agreement to cooperate on peaceful uses of nuclear energy in order to strengthen cooperation in research, training and development of atomic energy.

This agreement was initialed between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on October 10, 2013 in Brunei, in the framework of the 23rd ASEAN Summit.

The scope of the cooperation agreement includes the development of nuclear energy use; research, development and application of civil nuclear reactor technologies, management of used fuel; training and development of infrastructure and human resources; and radiation protection, radioactive waste and used fuel management.

The cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. is to take various forms, such as the exchange of scientific information and documents; staff exchange and training; organizing of conferences and seminars; providing services and technical support.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Science, Technology & Environment Nguyen Quan said Vietnam has long pursued a policy of developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. He noted that Vietnam has joined most of the international treaties related to ensuring the safety, security and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

"The signing of the agreement marks an important step forward in reliability in cooperative relations between Vietnam and the U.S. on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and also opens up great prospects for both parties in promoting the specific cooperation projects on applications of radiation and nuclear power development for social-economic development in each country," said Quan.

Seeing the U.S. as the leading country in the world in the field of atomic energy, Minister Quan said that the signing will create favorable conditions for Vietnam to gain access to modern atomic energy technology, while enabling U.S. businesses to cooperate and invest in Vietnam's market for the benefit of both parties.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam David Shear praised Vietnam's efforts in recent years to develop a robust infrastructure system to support a nuclear power development program.

"The agreement will create a solid basis of mutual benefit in the civil nuclear field between the two countries," said Mr. David Shear.

The agreement takes effect for 30 years and continues to be in effect for each period of 5 years and can be modified upon agreement.

Na Son