Contributor countries of the International Cooperation Fund for Chernobyl announced the allocation of approximately EUR 7 million for the development of the Chernobyl exclusion zone, reported Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Svitlana Hrynchuk on Facebook last Friday.
"Canada has stated its intention to transfer EUR 5 million from a recently closed fund in Russia. The European Commission is adding EUR 1.7 million to the previously provided EUR 5 million. Belgium's contribution will also be included. Important decisions were approved at the meeting, namely the establishment of a Project Management Group for more effective implementation of grant agreements and a coordinated approach to dismantling unstable structures of the 'Shelter' facility," the minister shared about the outcomes of the Assembly of Contributor Countries' meeting organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
She specified that the contributors' funds will be directed towards the restoration of the equipment at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant that was destroyed and damaged during the Russian occupation.
Hrynchuk reminded that these are not the first contributions to the fund. Previously, Ukraine had already received over EUR 26 million from 18 contributor countries.
The minister assured that work on restoring the Chernobyl zone will continue. On June 5, the law ratifying the Framework Agreement between Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) regarding the activities of the International Cooperation Fund for Chernobyl came into effect. Additionally, there are numerous partnership opportunities in the field of nuclear safety. Plans for 2025 include signing new grant agreements and implementing joint projects.