Opinions & Interviews
Belarus, Russia gain valuable experience in overcoming Chernobyl legacy
MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia have accumulated extensive valuable experience in dealing with the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, State Secretary of the Belarus-Russia Union State Grigory Rapota said when speaking at the high-level international conference, Thirty Years After Chernobyl. From Emergency to Revival and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development of Affected Territories, in Minsk on 25 April, BelTA has learned.
“The analysis of the Union State programs on Chernobyl shows that Belarus and Russia have gained invaluable scientific-practical and managerial experience. This generalized experience of our countries in overcoming the Chernobyl legacy serves not only our peoples but also all humanity,” Grigory Rapota said.
The Secretary also noted that the Union State uses all available opportunities to convey objective information about living in the affected areas. For example, not so long ago a press tour was organized to cover this topic. Journalists visited the areas affected by the disaster, including the exclusion zone.
Grigory Rapota recalled that the brunt of the costs on eliminating the effects of the accident was placed on the budgets of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. The institutions of the Union State have also contributed to this effort. Three Union State programs on Chernobyl have been completed already. The fourth one is in progress.
A Russian-Belarus information center has been established as part of these programs to pursue a single information policy on Chernobyl problems. Belarus and Russia have retrofitted health centers, institutions for the rehabilitation of children and instituted a single Russian-Belarusian Chernobyl register. Grigory Rapota explained it is used to provide targeted assistance, and conduct health monitoring.
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