Malkina: Belarus attaches great importance to environmental monitoring near NPP

Belarus attaches great importance to environmental monitoring, especially near the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) that is currently under construction and the NPPs in the neighboring countries, Belarusian First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Iya Malkina said on 29 June during the fifth round of Eastern Partnership Ministerial Dialogue, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus prioritizes the issues of the relationship between human health and environment. We pay special attention to the monitoring of the components of the environment, including near the BelNPP that is under construction and similar plants in our neighboring states,” Iya Malkina stressed. In her words, Belarus would be grateful for the opportunity to get expert support and develop its potential in this area.

Iya Malkina also stated that the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and other government bodies are interested in getting international expert advice on other issues in order to consolidate Belarus’ efforts towards sustainable development and international cooperation. “We already see that we need an integrated approach to environmental management that would take into account not only local specifics but also global trends,” she emphasized.

Minsk is hosting the fifth round of the Eastern Partnership Informal Ministerial Dialogue on 29 June. The round includes a meeting of the ministers of environment and a meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the EaP member states.

The Eastern Partnership Informal Ministerial Dialogue at the level of the ministers of foreign affairs and heads of other ministries have been held since 2012. Their main objective is to provide a platform for a regular open exchange of opinions on the most important issues of the EaP activities and the issues on the international agenda.