Deputy Minister Lê Đình Tiến highly appreciated cooperative relations between Vietnam and the US in the atomic energy field. In March 2010, Vietnam signed with the US the Memorandum of Understanding in the atomic energy field. Currently the two parties have discussed on the negotiation of the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (also called Agreement123 relating to transfer of information on nuclear materials, equipment and technologies from the US to other countries, ensuring non-popularization of nuclear weapons).
Vietnam has completed the project on shifting Da Lat nuclear reaction pile from using high enriched uranium (HEU) into using low enriched uranium (LEU) materials.The Project has been implemented within the framework of multi-lateral agreements between Vietnam, IAEA, the US and Russian Federation.
The Deputy Minister said that energy and civil nuclear technology have been used in fields of health, agriculture, scientific researchin Vietnam. Vietnam has initially implemented the nuclear electricity program. Vietnam would cooperate with Russia and Japan to build the first two nuclear electricity factories. During this process, Vietnam has paid special attention and ready to expand the international cooperation. So far, Vietnam has signed Bilateral Agreements on Nuclear Cooperation with Russia, China, France, India, South Korea, Argentina, and would sign with the US and Japan.
On this occasion, the Ambassador sent congratulations to Vietnam for achieving certain successes in the nuclear energy field and highly appreciated Vietnam’s strong commitment in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, ensuring the safety, security and prohibiting non-popularization of nuclear weapons. The fact that Vietnam has participated important international treaties in this filed and always been committed to implement seriously, fulfill adequately tasks of a member country, has been highly appreciated by countries and international organizations. The Ambassador affirmed, the US has been willing to cooperate, support Vietnam and believe that Vietnam would quickly develop in this field and soon share experience with other countries in the region and in the world.