WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The United States and Vietnam have reaffirmed a common commitment to the responsible expansion of civil nuclear power and to nuclear safety and security, the State Department press office announced on Tuesday.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Le Dihn Tien of Vietnam signed on Tuesday a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Cooperation in the Civil Nuclear Field.

This memorandum will increase cooperation in areas like the development of human resources and safety and security infrastructure, access to reliable sources of nuclear fuel, and the management of radioactive waste and used fuel. Vietnam expects to deploy its first nuclear power plant over the coming decades, and is cooperating with international partners in order to develop the robust nuclear infrastructure needed.

Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will lead an official delegation to the next month’s Nuclear Security Summit, at President Obama’s invitation. The U.S. continues its commitment to nuclear security after President Obama announced a new international effort to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years. On the other hand, Vietnam has also demonstrated its commitment by improving the physical protection at the Dalat Nuclear Research Institute.

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