During his official visit to Brussels, Belgium on 3 and 4 February 2014, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano held a series of high-level meetings with officials of the European Union (EU). Director General Amano met H.E. Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and expressed his appreciation for the continuous support that the Agency receives from the EU, including through financial contributions.
European Commission President Barroso commended the work that the Agency engages in, which contributes to international peace and security. He further reiterated the unwavering commitment of the European Commission to the Agency mandate in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for sustainable development. They also exchanged views on the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit taking place in March 2014, in the Hague, the Netherlands. Director General Amano underlined the essential role of the Agency in nuclear safety and security, which remains a matter of high priority for the IAEA.
Director General Amano also met Mr. Günther Oettinger, Commissioner for Energy, and other senior officials.
While in Brussels, Director General Amano held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Didier J.L. Reynders, Deputy Prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, and discussed issues pertaining to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Director General Amano was also invited at the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations where he gave a lecture on Atoms for Peace in the 21st Century.
-- by Aabha Dixit, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication
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