Tuesday, 26 April 2016
PM Awards Chernobyl NPP Accident Campaign Participants
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan awarded a group of Armenian citizens who have participated in the elimination of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident consequences.
Welcoming the guests, the Prime Minister stated in part, “We are commemorating today the 30th anniversary of one of the world’s largest man-made disasters that hit the Chernobyl nuclear-power plant. Thousands of people participated in the campaign of elimination of consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, including citizens of Armenia. Unfortunately, of more than 3,000 Armenian citizens who participated in the campaign, 400 died as a result of exposure to radiation, with about 2,000 still kept under control at a specialized medical center. These people need our constant attention and care, and we are aware of our duty and responsibility towards them. The Government is doing and will do everything possible to solve Chernobyl veterans’ health and welfare problems.”
According to the Head of Government, this day is not only an opportunity to commemorate the victims of the accident, but also to sound a sobering warning of vigilance. “Today, as we are marking Chernobyl NPP accident’s 30th anniversary, I wish to express my gratitude to all those Armenian citizens who participated in the aftermath campaign without sparing their lives and health, who rushed to the disaster zone to extend a helping hand to the friendly nations,” Hovik Abrahamyan said and thanked Armenia’s Chernobyl Association, which has been operational for over 25 years representing the interests of Chernobyl veterans in Armenia and CIS countries.
In the frame of events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, for having honored their civil and service duty before the Motherland amid a life-threatening danger, the following Chernobyl veterans were presented with the Prime Minister’s commemorative medals, Lev Artishchev, Vladimir Sokolyan, Jeremy Avagyan, Gevorg Melkonyan and Gevorg Vardanyan, while Georgi Vardanyan, Yura Ghulyan, Ruben Gharagadyan, Sirekan Petrosyan, Murad Muradyan, Artur Harutyunyan, Simon Iritsyan Martin Ohanyan, Tigran Karapetyan and Hovik Tatoyan were awarded the Prime Minister’s diplomas.
On behalf of all Chernobyl veterans who ran a life-threatening danger as they performed their civil and service duty before the Motherland, Armenian Chernobyl Association President Gevorg Vardanyan thanked the authorities for thoughtfulness of their needs, assistance in welfare and healthcare matters, as well as for keeping their problems in spotlight.
