President Viktor Yuschenko has awarded Jean Lemierre, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Yaroslav the Wise Order of the third degree, the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Protection of Population from Chornobyl Accident Consequences announced.
Being on a state visit to London (Great Britain) Tuesday Volodymyr Shandra, Minister for Emergency Situations and Protection of Population from Chornobyl Accident Consequences, awards EBRD President Jean Lemierre the Yaroslav the Wise Order on Yuschenko's behalf.
Yuschenko rewarded Lemierre for outstanding contribution to strengthening Ukraine's international image, economic, scientific, and health development, and elimination of Chornobyl catastrophe aftermaths, Shandra said.
Lemierre was awarded for a significant role in construction of a new safety shelter over the Shelter facility on the fourth reactor of the Chornobyl nuclear plant; completion of spent fuel storage facilities, and the radioactive effluents processing plant.
"Cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is vital for Ukraine. The bank understands and supports Ukraine's plans and events for transforming the Shelter facility on the fourth reactor of the Chornobyl nuclear plant into an environment-friendly system," he stressed.
Due to EBRD assistance and efforts the construction of a new safety shelter and a range of international projects are being implemented at the Chornobyl nuclear plant, the minister said. "The amount of inputs, that is 10% of the bank's annual income, demonstrates the level of confidence in Ukraine, in particular, to fund allocation mechanisms and experts who are dealing with Chornobyl nuclear plant's problems in Ukraine", he said.
Due to proper financing the construction of a new shelter over the existing Shelter facility is expected to be completed in 2012, the minister said.
As Ukrainian News reported, the EBRD decided to grant EUR 135 million for Shelter facility construction at the NPP.
