MINSK, 4 February (BelTA) – Belarus has already invited several international organizations and countries to take part in events timed to the 30th anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, BelTA learned from Dmitry Mironchik, Head of the Information Office, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 4 February.
Preparations to commemorate the Chernobyl disaster are now in full swing. The Emergencies Ministry is the primary organizer. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acts within its competence, specified Dmitry Mironchik. In particular, invitations to take part in the forthcoming events, including international conferences, have already been sent to heads of international agencies. The number includes the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Invitations have also been sent to donor countries that heavily contribute to relief efforts in the affected areas of Belarus. The number includes Japan, Germany, Italy and other countries.
“Russia and Ukraine as the countries most affected by the Chernobyl disaster have been invited,” noted the official. Other countries, which are directly involved in Chernobyl affairs and which contribution to the development of a new UN strategy on Chernobyl is important, are expected to take part in the events as well. The new strategy is supposed to be adopted during the UN General Assembly session in autumn 2016.
