MANILA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed willingness to assist the Philippines in the event that the country decides to use nuclear power, said Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs.

A statement from the department on Saturday said that IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano was in the country from Dec 8 to Dec 11, where he met senior officials from Philippine government agencies involved in the implementation of technical cooperation projects in various nuclear applications.

Amano visited the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, the department said, noting that the Philippines benefits from the activities undertaken by the IAEA under its safety and security pillar," particularly in the review and assessment of the possible rehabilitation of the plant."

"The Agency can also assist the Philippines if and when the government decides to include nuclear power generation in its present energy mix," said the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The IAEA is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.