Secretary Clinton's Statement Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Chornobyl

Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Chornobyl

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

April 19, 2011

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On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I reaffirm the commitment of the United States to stand with Ukraine and the forty-four other nations participating in the Kyiv Summit as we mark the 25th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster and complete Chornobyl’s transition to an environmentally-safe site. The completion of two nuclear safety projects, construction of a new safe confinement shelter, and a storage facility for spent fuel will help finally close this difficult chapter for the people of Ukraine and the region.

Nearly two decades of cooperation between Ukraine and the United States on nuclear energy and safety, health, and nonproliferation has made a lasting contribution to nuclear safety in the region and throughout the world. The United States has already contributed $240 million to this international effort, and today we are announcing a pledge of $123 million in new funding.

As we remember this anniversary, we are also following the grave situation at Japan’s Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant. It is a reminder that nuclear safety requires the global community to work together. This is why today the United States joins Ukraine and the rest of the international community in renewing our support for the government and people of Japan.

As we pause to reflect on the events that took place at Chornobyl twenty-five years ago, we must recommit ourselves to ensuring the safe use of nuclear power for generations to come.