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MINSK, 5 September (BelTA) – A delegation of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan commended Belarus’ achievements in mitigating the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Health Ministry following the delegation’s visit to Belarus.

The goal of the visit was to explore Belarus’ experience in post-Chernobyl recovery and to consider the possibilities of applying it in Japan. During a meeting with the Japanese delegation Belarusian Health Minister Valery Malashko said that Belarus had achieved notable success in mitigating the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster thanks to the reasonable and well-balanced national policy and to large-scale state programs. Belarusian scientists are conducting scientific research; the government has raised public awareness in Chernobyl-affected areas and set up an effective system to monitor safety.

The guests got familiarized with the results of the rehabilitation of the affected areas, with the data of the medical research on the disaster’s long-term effects, and with the aspects of medical examination.

The guests praised Belarus’ comprehensive strategy and the country’s great achievements in the post-Chernobyl recovery. The Japanese delegation showed great interest in the system to raise the radiological and environmental awareness and public awareness in Belarus in general.

Japan was among the first countries to render assistance to Belarus in 1986. The country still continues to help people living in the Chernobyl-affected regions under the Grassroots Human Security Projects program.

At the end of the meeting the sides announced their intention to develop and strengthen cooperation in promoting the post-Chernobyl recovery. Belarus also came up with a number of proposals on prospective joint projects.

The Japanese delegation also visited a branch office of the Belarusian Office of the Russian-Belarusian Information Center on the Chernobyl Impact under the R&D Institute of Radiation of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry, the National Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Radiology and Human Ecology in Gomel, the Belarusian State Medical University, and other institutions.