IAEA conference

PM for transparent use of nuclear tech

Hasina leaves for Vienna today

The participation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a conference organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the Austrian capital of Vienna is not a mere attendance rather a ‘different type of political message’ to the world with the assurance of Bangladesh’s commitment to peaceful and transparent use of nuclear technology, diplomatic sources told The Independent. The prime minister leaves for Vienna this morning to participate in ‘Conference on the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme: 60 years and Beyond- Contributing to Development’. She is scheduled to attend the opening session of the conference today.
Besides, Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to hold official talks with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Kern and meet Austrian Federal President Alexander Van Der Bellen. She will also meet IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. “Look, it’s a conference on technical cooperation. Anybody can ask the rationale of the participation by the head of the government,” said a senior diplomat. “But, I can tell you this is not a mere participation in a conference, rather a different type of political message to the world that will have assurance that Bangladesh is committed to peaceful and transparent use of nuclear technology,” he said. “The prime minister is going to convey this message in the conference and lay emphasis on the importance of peaceful use of nuclear energy by other countries,” the diplomat said. About the bilateral aspects of the visit, he said that the main aspect of the visit is the conference and all the issues of mutual interest will be discussed, he said.
“Bangladesh is a new name in the world of nuclear technology. It is engaged with Russia to build its first nuclear reactor. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority least developed country, is in cooperation with Russia. This might cause worry to some people. The prime minister’s unequivocal assurance of peaceful use of nuclear technology will play a significant role in removing doubts from the minds of doubters,” said a senior government official.
“Our nuclear project is very transparent and open. And, we are closely working with the IAEA,” he added. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali told a press conference organised on the occasion of the prime minister’s visit that Hasina’s participation will reinforce Dhaka’s firm stance against nuclear proliferation.
In the conference, he said that she will focus on IAEA technical cooperation in building technical capacity of Bangladesh on the use of nuclear power which will help Bangladesh achieve socio-economic development and sustainable development goals (SDGs). During the official talks with the Austrian chancellor president, issues relating to enhanced cooperation in agriculture and livestock sectors, operation of direct Biman flight, foreign office consultations and bilateral trade and investment will be highlighted, said the foreign minister. Matters regarding global terrorism, migration crises, climate change and post Brexit situation in different European countries would also be discussed during the meetings, he said. Minister Ali also said that the two countries, during the prime minister’s visit, are likely to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on foreign office consultations between Dhaka and Vienna. Hasina is due to return home in the morning on Wednesday.

IAEA conference

PM for transparent use of nuclear tech

Hasina leaves for Vienna today

The participation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a conference organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the Austrian capital of Vienna is not a mere attendance rather a different type of political message to the world with the assurance of Bangladeshs commitment to peaceful and transparent use of nuclear technology, diplomatic sources told The Independent. The prime minister leaves for Vienna this morning to participate in Conference on the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme: 60 years and Beyond- Contributing to Development. She is scheduled to attend the opening session of the conference today. Besides, Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to hold official talks with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Kern and meet Austrian Federal President Alexander Van Der Bellen. She will also meet IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. Look, its a conference on technical cooperation. Anybody can ask the rationale of the participation by the head of the government, said a senior diplomat. But, I can tell you this is not a mere participation in a conference, rather a different type of political message to the world that will have assurance that Bangladesh is committed to peaceful and transparent use of nuclear technology, he said. The prime minister is going to convey this message in the conference and lay emphasis on the importance of peaceful use of nuclear energy by other countries, the diplomat said. About the bilateral aspects of the visit, he said that the main aspect of the visit is the conference and all the issues of mutual interest will be discussed, he said. Bangladesh is a new name in the world of nuclear technology. It is engaged with Russia to build its first nuclear reactor. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority least developed country, is in cooperation with Russia. This might cause worry to some people. The prime ministers unequivocal assurance of peaceful use of nuclear technology will play a significant role in removing doubts from the minds of doubters, said a senior government official. Our nuclear project is very transparent and open. And, we are closely working with the IAEA, he added. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali told a press conference organised on the occasion of the prime ministers visit that Hasinas participation will reinforce Dhakas firm stance against nuclear proliferation. In the conference, he said that she will focus on IAEA technical cooperation in building technical capacity of Bangladesh on the use of nuclear power which will help Bangladesh achieve socio-economic development and sustainable development goals (SDGs). During the official talks with the Austrian chancellor president, issues relating to enhanced cooperation in agriculture and livestock sectors, operation of direct Biman flight, foreign office consultations and bilateral trade and investment will be highlighted, said the foreign minister. Matters regarding global terrorism, migration crises, climate change and post Brexit situation in different European countries would also be discussed during the meetings, he said. Minister Ali also said that the two countries, during the prime ministers visit, are likely to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on foreign office consultations between Dhaka and Vienna. Hasina is due to return home in the morning on Wednesday.