International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assured Bangladesh to continue its support for the Rooppur nuclear power plant project on Tuesday.
The agency also commended Bangladesh for peacefully using nuclear energy.
The IAEA Director General, Yukiya Amano, exchanged his views with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at the latter’s office, a press release said.
During this meeting, the foreign minister apprised Yukiya of Bangladesh’s “steady economic development and growing demand for energy and power.”
AH Mahmood also informed Yukiya that in line with Bangladesh’s strict adherence to international standards on nuclear energy, the government has recently accepted the Amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials (CPPNM).
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Later, AH Mahmood handed a copy of the Instrument of Acceptance to Yukiya.
Yukiya was immensely satisfied with the effort made by Bangladesh in the field which, he believed, testified its “sincerity and commitment towards nuclear safety.”
He praised Bangladesh – particularly the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her strong political “commitment towards nuclear disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear energy.”
Referring to his visit to Rooppur power plant on Monday, Yukiya also praised the safety measures taken by the authorities and other facilities available at the plant.
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He also lauded the prime minister for garnering wide public acceptance regarding the project.
However, he advised that the nuclear regularity authority in Bangladesh should be strengthened.
He assured the foreign minister that IAEA would consider Bangladesh a” priority country and continue to provide them with necessary technical and advisory support” in the implementation of the Rooppur power project.
In response to the minister's request, Yukiya pledged to send regular inspection teams to the Rooppur plant.
This is the second visit of Yukiya Amano to Bangladesh as the DG of IAEA. He will leave Dhaka on 05 July 2017.