A 17-year tradition of visits by Chernobyl children to Ireland was secured today after a new treaty was signed between Ireland and Belarus.
Last summer authorities in Belarus restricted the number of families leaving the country after a youngster failed to return from a visit to the United States.
The new bilateral agreement was signed in Minsk today on behalf of Ireland by the Irish ambassador to Belarus, Justin Harman.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said he was delighted children from areas near the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster site can continue to travel freely to Ireland for rest and recuperation visits.
“This agreement follows months of detailed consultations and negotiations and represents a very positive outcome. I want to thank all those involved on both sides for bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.”
“I am very much aware of the tremendous contribution of Irish charities over the past 17 years to assisting Chernobyl children and am I very pleased that this agreement will facilitate their ongoing work.”
Ireland has a 17-year long record of successful visits by Chernobyl children to host families throughout the country.
Approximately 180 children travel at Christmas while as many as 2,500 travel for annual summer holidays.
One child failed to return from a recuperative visit to the US in August and Belarus immediately sought new arrangements to be put in place for such visits.
Since early September, negotiations have been ongoing between Ireland and Belarus on a treaty to regulate these visits. A draft agreement was agreed in December and formally signed today following the completion of Belarusian procedures.
Mr Martin held a meeting on the issue in September with Adi Roche of Co Cork-based Chernobyl Children’s Project International.
PA