Commemorating the 25th anniversary since the Chernobyl disaster, the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek stated:

"Today, we mark the 25th anniversary of the worst nuclear accident in human history. We have a duty to remember those who lost their life and health because of the accident, those who fought flames and radiations on that deadly night, and all those who had to flee their homes because of the disaster.

Chernobyl was an unimaginable human tragedy, but also a lesson on the importance of prevention, transparency and proper supervision.

The response to Chernobyl has become an example of efficient international cooperation in the past decades. The local and national governments of the affected countries, the UN, the EU, the Red Cross, and civil society are all helping in minimising the health effects on the population, increasing awareness, and monitoring.

We are now in the middle of the Decade of Recovery and Sustainable Development. Efforts and funds should be maintained so that when we will be marking the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, we will do it in a community which is developing autonomously and is not stigmatised. Let's move forward and let's not forget."´

Note for editors:

A recorded video-message with the statement of President Buzek is also available on this link:

ftp://epavradioget:mo12SSB@ftpeps01.europarl.eu.int/epavradio/president/nuclear

In order to download the video, follow this link, right click on the preferred format and 'save target as'. The video is available in web and broadcast quality.

• Robert A. Golański

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