Agreement reached under German G7 Presidency
Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks welcomed the outcome of today's pledging conference for replenishing the Chernobyl Shelter Fund.
"I am pleased and very relieved about the result of the pledging conference. As holder of the G7 presidency, we have succeeded, with our partners, in securing financing for the completion of the New Safe Confinement over the damaged reactor in Chernobyl."
"For the G7 countries, continuing to help deal with the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl and securely sealing off the damaged reactor is all about plausibility. The impending collapse of the old sarcophagus without the new shelter would have devastating consequences for the environment. We are running out of time to complete the shelter. We cannot leave Ukraine to face the consequences of the disaster alone."
Background:
At the pledging conference in London, the G7 countries and the EU Commission committed to paying an additional 165 million euros into the Chernobyl Shelter Fund. Other countries pledged a further 15 million euros. In addition, other countries expressed their willingness to make contributions in the future. In November 2014, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced they would be contributing another 350 million euros to the fund. With these new pledges the financial gap has been reduced from 615 to 85 million euros. The pledges made today by the international community mean that work on completing the new safe confinement can be continued immediately. We will, nevertheless, continue to work hard to cover the remaining costs.