Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 20 July (BelTA) – Belarus-Japan cooperation should be more actively advanced across the board. Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Natalya Kochanova made the statement as she met with Masako Mori, a member of the upper chamber of the Japanese parliament, on 20 July, BelTA has learned.

Natalya Kochanova thanked Masako Mori for the attention the parliamentarian pays to the alleviation of consequences of the accidents at the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plants. “I think our nations understand the entire seriousness and importance of the work done to deal with consequences of these tragic manmade catastrophes. Japan was one of the first countries to help us and assist with cleaning up the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. We repaid in kind in 2011 when the tragedy in Fukushima happened by sending aid that the Japanese nation needed,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Natalya Kochanova stressed that for 30 years already Belarus has been taking serious care of the alleviation of consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. “In the period a lot of accomplishments have been secured in healthcare, social sphere, and ecology. By visiting Gomel Oblast, you were able to see with your own eyes how seriously the government works on it,” stated Natalya Kochanova.

In her opinion, such visits contribute to raising the effectiveness of the joint efforts aimed at overcoming consequences of the catastrophes. “The main task is to protect citizens, primarily kids. We are glad that children from Japan have come to Belarus for five years already. This year at the beginning of August we expect Japanese kids to travel to the summer camp Zubronok for rest and recreation, for getting familiar with our country,” said Natalya Kochanova.

In turn, Masako Mori thanked Natalya Kochanova for the warm welcome and said she hopes the bilateral relations would continue developing.