The First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko took part in the Parliamentary Temporary Special Commission on Preparation of Issues on Strengthening Social Protection of Citizens Affected by the Chornobyl Disaster and Use of Radioactively Contaminated Territories session. The event took place in Varash city, Rivne region headed by the Chairman of Temporary Commission for Investigation - Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation Arsenii Pushkarenko.
Before the session got started the First Deputy Speaker, together with colleagues, paid tribute to the memory of the fallen defenders of Ukraine by laying flowers on the Alley of Heroes.
MPs, representatives of the Ombudsman's Office, central and local executive authorities, the Pension Fund of Ukraine, regional military administrations, local governments and the public joined the TCI.
«The previous session, which was held on CHNPP's territory, proved that there are enough issues which have been resolved for years. Today we need to pay attention both to old problems and those that are emerging now. Such as: ensuring decent conditions for liquidators, the state of radioactively contaminated territories, dosimetry issues, land use, in particular for agricultural purposes, and social support for victims,» Oleksandr Korniienko noted.
According to him, the main focus was on discussing the problems of identifying people living in contaminated areas, developing measures to strengthen social protection of citizens affected by the Chornobyl disaster, and preparing an appeal of the TCI to the President of Ukraine, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers on the need to conduct dosimetric certification of settlements.
The First Deputy Speaker emphasised the scale of the problems, which cover several regions and affect tens of thousands of citizens. He stressed the importance of the strategic role of the respective territories in countering threats from the north and protecting the state.
«For the first time in more than 30 years of independence, Chornobyl issues are back on the agenda. They are now in the focus of attention of the Parliament and the Government. It is important to finally put these issues in order, to restore justice, because it concerns 1.5 million citizens,» said Arsenii Pushkarenko, head of the TCI
Oleksandr Korniienko noted that work is underway to prepare a draft law that would comprehensively address the social problems of those affected by the Chornobyl disaster. The draft law should be adopted in time for the start of budget planning for 2026 to ensure the necessary funding for its implementation.
Regarding the dosimetric certification of territories, the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada stressed the need for transparent dosimetry based on reliable indicators. He also noted the expediency of holding consultations with the Academy of Sciences for a deeper understanding and proper control over the dosimetry processes.
«I believe that this PIC should bring justice to all issues related to the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster. This is what we are working on. I would like to thank my colleagues and participants of the meeting, in particular the PIC Chairman Arsenii Pushkarenko, for the initiative», — Oleksandr korniienko summed up.