Ukraine to continue to fund Chornobyl programs Ukraine will continue funding Chornobyl-related programs, President Viktor Yushchenko said at a meeting of the Assembly of Contributors to the Chornobyl Shelter Fund and the Assembly of Donors to the Nuclear Safety Account in Kyiv on Tuesday.

He said that Ukraine was very interested in implementing the program on the decommissioning of the Chornobyl NPP.

Yushchenko said that Ukraine was concerned over the delay in the implementation of a number of Chornobyl projects, particularly on the construction of the New Safe Confinement structure over the destroyed fourth reactor at the plant and the commissioning of a liquid radioactive waste recycling plant.

He also said that the construction cost of these objects should not be increased.

"This could be possible at the expense of a more effective process of management," Yushchenko said.

He also praised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's initiative to participate in the implementation of Chornobyl programs not only as a manager, but also as a financial donor.

Yushchenko said that the government, the parliament and the Presidential Secretariat had full, mutual understanding in the realization of those programs.

Yushchenko also praised the efforts of the international community and the governments of contributor countries to the Shelter Fund and the Nuclear Safety Account, with regard to implementing the projects at Chornobyl NPP and providing the funds needed to finance them.