In 2016, Belarus took the initiative to keep the Chernobyl issue on the international agenda and initiated the relevant resolution of the UN General Assembly. Belarusian experience in radiation medicine, in overcoming the consequences of contamination on the ground, as well as the knowledge acquired by the country for more than 35 years to return the affected land into circulation and obtain clean products, is the contribution of our country to the global experience. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister in Minsk at a meeting of the Council on Sustainable Development, dedicated to the International Day of Remembrance of the Chernobyl disaster. Yuri Ambrazevich also voiced concerns about the process of closing Ignalina NPP in Lithuania, similar to Chernobyl.
Yuri Ambrazevich, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus:
“Our neighborhood causes us legitimate concern. The main thing we do not have is the proper level of communication with the Lithuanian government on the safety of the Ignalina NPP. This is a very complex technological facility, which, like a bonfire, cannot be covered with turf. Even after it has been decommissioned, a long, serious conservation work is needed.”
The station ceased operation at the request of the European Union, which considered it unsafe. And the closure process took half as long as promised. In addition, the decommissioning of the NPP has been associated with several corruption schemes over the past 10-15 years.
