Civil nuclear technology: Pakistan wants end to 'discrimination'
27 March, 2012
SEOUL: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday urged the international community to give Pakistan access to nuclear technology for peaceful uses on a non-discriminatory basis.
Speaking at a dinner on the first day of the Seoul Security Summit, the prime minister said that nuclear technology was required to meet Pakistan's growing energy needs and its National Command Authority had approved Nuclear Power Programme for 2050 to increase energy production from nuclear source.
Gilani said Pakistan had taken effective measures at national level as the important part of its efforts to enhance nuclear security.
He said the international community had to move together and learn from each other to protect the nuclear assets and ensure their safety and security.
Referring to the importance of the second Nuclear Security Summit being held in Seoul, the prime minister said, "As we meet here, we break new ground on the evolving global nuclear security architecture, the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and protection of nuclear materials and radioactive sources."
"Our concerns on these vital issues put a roadmap in our hands for concerted national actions and international coordination to enhance nuclear security," he added.
The prime minister said last year the IAEA board of governors unanimously approved the safeguards agreements of the two civil nuclear power plants of Pakistan that showed the international community's continued confidence in the safety and security standards maintained by the country.
Gilani said in South Asia, Pakistan was pursuing strategic restraint and confidence-building through dialogue and this process should guarantee security and stability in the region.
Gilani and his Turkish counterpart Recap Tayyip Erdogan met on the sidelines of the nuclear summit and discussed bilateral relations, regional and international situation and agreed to further promote trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The Turkish prime minister said that Turkey was interested to invest in various projects in the field of energy and communication. He informed Gilani that there was a wide scope for Turkish investors on different projects in hydal, thermal and renewable energy and other development projects, especially in Balochistan.
During a meeting with the prime minister on the sidelines of the summit, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono assured that his country would discuss with all the members of the ASEAN to give full dialogue partner status to Pakistan.
The Second Nuclear Safety started on Monday to discuss the issues relating to nuclear security and preparing recommendations for the safety of nuclear material and installations to ensure peace and security in the world.
End.
|
