The Head of Government welcomed Chancellor Merkel's initiative to implement the Chernobyl NPP safety project New Safe Confinement (NSC) by the end of 2017. "This is an important project for Lithuania. We donated 10 thousand euros in 2011, and this year we will also see what we can do to contribute to the project", said the Prime Minister.
In her letter, the Chancellor of the G7 Presiding country invites financial contribution to the Chernobyl NPP Shelter Fund. Until now, the Fund has accrued EUR 1.5 billion, but it is still short of 615 million to be brought to timely fruition. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has decided to allocate EUR 350 million, and the G7 – EUR 165 million. The missing funds are expected to be raised in donor conference at EBRD headquarters in London, to be held this year on April 29th.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to express his condolences over the crash of the German airline Germanwings in French Alps. "We are deeply shocked and grieved by the loss of lives in the crash of the Germanwings airliner 4U 9525 in the French Alps. On behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, let me express my heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the victims", said the Head of Government