The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine discussed the measures necessary to implement the Parliamentary Resolution «On honouring those involved in the liquidation of the consequences of the accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and on measures related to the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster.» (№ 4716-IX).
The event was chaired by Oleksandr Korniienko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and attended by members of the Ukrainian parliament, representatives of central executive bodies, state institutions and enterprises, as well as experts.
In particular, they discussed information and educational, commemorative and communication activities within the framework of the policy of commemoration, as well as the status of preparation of the Action Plan and socially significant decisions to support participants in the liquidation of the consequences of the Chornobyl accident and affected persons.
Oleksandr Korniienko emphasised that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, by adopting the relevant Resolution on 4 December, had defined the framework of state policy on commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. According to him, the key task is not only the formal implementation of the document, but also its systematic and coordinated implementation, primarily in terms of memorialisation, information and educational, and humanitarian activities. He stressed the importance of the role of central executive bodies in streamlining and organising these processes.
«The main purpose of the Resolution is to properly honour the courage, self-sacrifice and professionalism of the liquidators, as well as to strengthen their social protection,» emphasised the First Deputy Speaker.
The First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also drew attention to the need for a special focus on supporting liquidators, affected citizens, their families and territories that have suffered radioactive contamination, in particular the city of Slavutych and the Polissya regions. He separately noted the importance of a unified communication policy, the participation of the media, cultural institutions and state-owned enterprises in the implementation of measures, and called for inter-institutional cooperation and coordination of efforts to ensure a dignified and meaningful commemoration of this memorable date.
It should be noted that the meeting was held at the initiative of the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on preparing issues related to strengthening social protection for citizens affected by the Chornobyl disaster, chaired by Arseniy Pushkarenko, Member of Parliament of Ukraine and Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation.
«Remembering the Chornobyl tragedy is the duty of each and every one of us. For the sake of the heroic liquidators, for the sake of the victims of the accident and to prevent this dark page in history from repeating itself,» said Arsenii Pushkarenko, calling for a systematic approach and inter-institutional coordination to effectively implement the Resolution and protect the rights of affected citizens.