UN, EU experts arrive in Ukraine to study Kalush’s environmental problems
Experts from the United Nations and the European Union have arrived in the Ivano-Frankivsk region [oblast] to study the environmental problems facing the city of Kalush.
The Head of the UN and EU Joint Mission Rene Nijenhuis met with the leadership of the Ivano-Frankivsk region on Thursday.
"The mission is made up of highly skilled experts, including experts in geology, hydrogeology, in obtaining samples for environmental analysis, and on emergency response," he said.
Nijenhuis noted that the experts will focus on the most pressing issues and will lay the groundwork for cooperation to resolve the environmental problems of the city.
The experts will be working in Kalush until 8 March, and the following day will submit their report to the President and the government.
As reported, on 12 February, President Yushchenko signed a law declaring Kalush city and the villages of Kropyvnyk and Sivka-Kaluska in the Ivano-Frankivsk region environmental disaster zones.
The main environmental danger stems from the OJSC Oriana Potassium Plant in Kalush, Dombrovsky quarry and facilities for storing radioactive, toxic and other waste in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.