Foreign Minister to attend nuclear summit in Washington

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will lead his country's delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit due to open in Washington on Thursday with the participation of leaders and senior officials of 52 states, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said.

In statements Wednesday, he said the summit will be the fourth and last one to be held within the framework of an initiative launched by US President Barack Obama on supporting international and national efforts in the field of nuclear security.

Abu Zeid said Egypt will present a report on the measures it takes to realize nuclear security, especially concerning safeguarding nuclear materials, establishing a database for nuclear and radioactive materials and combating illegal trade in such materials.

This week's meetings mark the fourth Nuclear Security Summit after Obama announced in 2009 he was spearheading an international effort to secure nuclear material. The three previous sessions were held in Washington, Seoul and The Hague.

Leaders plan to meet Thursday and Friday both at the White House and at the Washington Convention Center to discuss ways to reduce the use of highly enriched uranium and combat nuclear smuggling. 

Source : MENA