PARIS, July 22 (Xinhua) -- France on Monday mourned the passing away of Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and offered condolences to his family.
"France was saddened to learn of the death of Yukiya Amano" who had "resolutely strove to strengthen the international non-proliferation regime, especially by emphasizing the central role played by the IAEA in dealing with the Iranian and North Korean crises," France's foreign ministry said.
It also offered "its sincerest condolences" to his family, his loved ones, and the staff of the agency he directed.
Amano, who had study experience in France, served as Japan's consul general in Marseille from 1997 to 1999. He carried out several high-level visits to France as IAEA director general, the statement added.
The Japanese diplomat had been the chief of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog since 2009. He died at the age of 72, the IAEA announced on Monday.
