Belarusian and Russian meteorological services develop join program

Hydrometeorological centers of Belarus and Russia are developing a joint program in the field of hydro-meteorological and environmental monitoring, Maria Germenchuk, First Deputy Head of the National Center for Hydrometeorology, Monitoring of Radioactive Contamination and Environment (Gidromet), told a press conference dedicated to the World Meteorological Day, BelTA has learned.

"We are actively working on the development of bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation. Now we are developing a joint program with the Russian Hydrometeorological Center (Rosgidromet). I hope that it will be adopted in the coming years,” said Maria Germenchuk.

According to her, it will be the fourth program developed jointly with Rosgidromet. "When this program is adopted depends on the Russian side, in particular the Finance Ministry of the Russian Federation. This is a normal process: first we develop the concept, and then we submit it for the examination of not only meteorological services but also a number of other organizations: the ministries of environment, finance and economy of the two countries," she explained.

Maria Germenchuk stressed that such a long negotiation process allows seeing the situation through the eyes of consumers of the information which meteorologists prepare. "We understand who we work for and what form this or that information should be presented to consumers,” she stated.

The new program will reflect a number of cooperation areas, including the harmonization of the regulatory framework in the field of hydrometeorology, and joint research. "It is also important to ensure radiation safety. We are working closely with Rosgidromet and exploring their experience of monitoring the situation around nuclear power plants,” Maria Germenchuk noted. She emphasized that the document will envisage other joint activities