§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine on the financing of the closedown of the Chernobyl reactors. [27887]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAt the EU and G7 summits in 1994, substantial sums were committed to an action plan for Ukraine's energy sector, including the closure of Chernobyl. Following a visit to Ukraine in April by a senior delegation from the EU and the G7, President Kuchma undertook to close the remaining Chernobyl reactors by 2000, which we warmly welcome. Discussions are continuing with the Ukrainians to draw up a final plan on closure. The EU, the G7 and international financial institutions will continue to work closely with Ukraine to achieve this aim as well as the wider objectives of the action plan.