Undersecretary commends constructive cooperation between Bahrain and IAEA

Vienna, Sept. 19 (BNA): The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of the National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, met with the Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, Dazhu Yang. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. Dr. Shaikha Rana commended the constructive cooperation between Bahrain and the IAEA, noting in this regard the signing of the Country Programme Framework (CPF) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), thus affirming that CPF represents an opportunity to guide efforts towards promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the region. The Undersecretary stated that Bahrain's interest in enhancing cooperation with the Technical Cooperation Department of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is in line with the Kingdom's Economic Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. She highlighted the need to expand these relations in order to contribute to supporting the use of nuclear science and technology to meet key priorities in the field of sustainable development. Dazhu Yang affirmed that the IAEA is proud of its cooperation with Bahrain, which is characterized by its constant development and joint coordination at all levels to contribute to securing a zone free of nuclear weapons and mass destruction, wishing the Kingdom further progress and prosperity. The Undersecretary also met with the Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards, Massimo Aparo. She expressed her utmost appreciation of the relentless efforts exerted by the IAEA Safeguards Department, praising the pivotal t role it plays in the management and implementation of IAEA safeguards and its keenness on non-proliferation and disarmament. The Undersecretary commended the significant role played by the Safeguards Department in verifying the compliance of states with the framework of the NPT. She affirmed in this regard Bahrain's position that all parties should abide by this treaty, stressing the need for states to apply safeguards to nuclear security and safety in order to avoid any incidents that lead to disasters and consequences in the region and the world. Aparo commended the initiatives and efforts of Bahrain's National Committee and its keenness to submit national reports on time, in addition to the interest in hosting workshops in the field of safeguards, which contributes positively to enhancing cooperation and communication with the IAEA.