MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) – Overcoming consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe requires not only national efforts, but international ones, too. Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas made the relevant statement during the briefing held on 25 April for heads of foreign diplomatic missions and representative offices of international organizations in anticipation of the 32nd anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident and International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day, BelTA has learned.
The official said: “Unfortunately, it is premature to say that the sorrowful legacy of the Chernobyl catastrophe is a thing of the past. Overcoming consequences of the Chernobyl accident requires not only national efforts, but international ones, too.” Belarus will continue working persistently to draw the attention of the international community to this problem and has always been in favor of continuing international cooperation in this field.
“Due to the Chernobyl catastrophe Belarus has lost 485 villages and towns,” noted the Belarusian deputy minister of foreign affairs. Andrei Dapkiunas stressed that Belarus feels responsible for keeping the attention of the international community directed towards the history of the tragedy and to the invaluable experience Belarus had accumulated while fighting consequences of the disaster. “Over the course of more than 30 years since the Chernobyl catastrophe Belarus has gone all the way from a country, which receives humanitarian aid, to a full-value partner and an expert with experience of overcoming consequences of large-scale man-caused catastrophes,” the official pointed out.
Securing proper and safe conditions for life in the affected areas, putting the polluted territories back on social and economic development track remain a critical task for the central government and municipal authorities.
On behalf of Belarus Andrei Dapkiunas expressed gratitude to leading international organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations, civil initiatives, public and political figures of various countries for their contribution to overcoming consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe.
