Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov have addressed the nation on occasion of the anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy.
“With a heavy heart, we once again remember those who sacrificed their lives taming the nuclear element to save millions of people, those who protected the lives of future generations. May their memory live forever,” the press service quoted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s statement.
He called for uniting efforts of the government and society in order to create an environmentally safe system at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and to rehabilitate and develop the contaminated sites.
“To do this we need to mobilize budgetary and human resources. At the same time, the state should pay maximum attention to the problems of the affected population, should constantly take care of strengthening social protection for people affected by the Chornobyl tragedy,” the president said.
For his part, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said that Ukraine is successfully implementing projects at the industrial site of Chornobyl NPP. He noted that the construction of a new safe Shelter confinement over the power plant started last year. The work is going according to schedule and will be completed in 2015, he added.
“At present, the government of Ukraine is implementing a new strategy in order to maximally supply domestically produced energy to the home economy. Taking into account the lessons of the past, we know one thing for certain: there is no alternative to energy independence,” the government’s press service quoted the premier as saying.
Azarov expressed confidence that Ukraine would achieve energy independence.
“I’m convinced that all generations of Ukrainians will remember that there is an undeniable contribution from Chornobyl’s energy workers, clean-up participants and specialists who are currently making the site of Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the Chornobyl zone into a safe area,” he concluded.
