The countries contributing to the International Cooperation Account for Chernobyl have announced the allocation of about EUR7 million for the development of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukrainian Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Svitlana Hrynchuk said on Facebook.
“Canada has announced its plans to transfer EUR 5 million from the fund that was recently closed in Russia. The European Commission is adding EUR 1.7 million to the EUR 5 million that was previously provided. Belgium’s contribution will also be added. “The meeting adopted important decisions, namely the creation of a Project Management Group for more effective implementation of grant agreements, and agreed on the direction of work on dismantling unstable structures of the Shelter,” the Minister said about the results of the meeting of the Assembly of Account Holders organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
She clarified that the depositors’ funds will be used to restore the equipment of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant destroyed and damaged during the Russian occupation.
Hrynchuk reminded that these are not the first contributions to the account. Earlier, Ukraine has already received more than EUR 26 million from 18 contributing countries.
The Minister assured that work on the restoration of the Chornobyl zone will continue. Thus, on June 5, the law of Ukraine on ratification of the Framework Agreement between Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the operation of the International Cooperation Account for Chornobyl came into force. In addition, Ukraine has a wide range of opportunities for partnership in nuclear safety. Plans for 2025 include signing new grant agreements and implementing joint projects.
