During the meeting, the Parties exchanged their visions of progress on the three International projects in the Chornobyl Alienation Zone, whose financial Administrator is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). One of these is being implemented through the funds of ‘The Shelter´ Chornobyl Fund (‘Shelter´ Facility Implementation Plan - SIP), and two projects from the Nuclear Safety Fund (Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility ISF-2, and a Plant to process liquid radioactive waste).
The matter of timely implementation of the International projects of the Chornobyl NPP Site were discussed, together with the reasons for moving deadlines and the efforts being made by the parties to exclude delays. The EBRD Delegates notified the Ukrainian party that the funds so far received from donor countries are insufficent for implementation of the International projects, but expressed their confidence that the necessary funds will somehow be realised.
The issue of financing of the maintenance of the infrastructure facilities by the Ukrainian party should be resolved. These facilities include a Radiological Monitoring Facility (Change Facility for up to 1430 workers), Construction Warehouse, Water Well, Personnel Training Centre, Rehabilitation Centre, Analytical Centre, Canteen, Small Equipment Deactivation Site, etc, all to be constructed using International engineering assistance.
Also discussed were matters of possible cooperation in the area of Environmental Protection.
The funding of Personnel Examination under the BIOMED Programme in 2008 must be started using the ‘Shelter´ Fund receipts of the EBRD, with partial funding by the Ukrainian party, as suggested by the Bank, to provide for the biomedical safety of personnel.
The EBRD Management noted the establishment of good business contacts with the Management of the Chornobyl NPP as a positive indication of further productive cooperation. They mentioned the role of the State Nuclear Regulation Committee of Ukraine in the realisation of International projects. The EBRD gives a very high overall grade to the operation of this Committee, referring to it as ‘faultless´.
The outcome of the Meeting resulted in the decision that EBRD and the Committee will make a joint effort towards a rapid resolution to the problem of the Alienation Zone, Chornobyl NPP and the ‘Shelter´ facility, and handling of spent nuclear fuel, and radioactive waste.
Taking part in the Meeting were Mr Vince Novak, EBRD´s Nuclear Safety Department Director, Mr Alexander Slavis, from the Shelter EBRD´s Chernobyl Fund in Ukraine, and Mykhailo Borysiuk, Head of the Committee Secretariat.