Amano’s Balanced Approach Guarantees Int’l Support Before IAEA Elections

Many countries support the candidacy of current International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano as he stands for a third term as the head of the UN nuclear watchdog because of his balanced and non-politicized approach, IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov told Sputnik on Tuesday.

VIENNA (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov — Amano announced he would accept nomination for a third term in office in January. His current term expires in December 2017, but the formal election process by IAEA member states begins this year.

"Of course, through the latest terms Mr. Amano has shown his balanced and non-politicized approach, he trusts technical leaders [heads of national and international nuclear energy organizations], that’s why many countries support him for the third term, including Russia," Chudakov said.

On Monday, Russia's Rosatom nuclear agency CEO Sergey Kirienko announced his support for Amano’s candidacy. Germany and South Korea have also made similar statements.