Belarus has started a new stage in addressing the Chernobyl problems, which manifests the transition from rehabilitation to the development of the affected areas, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said today at a rally-requiem in the town of Bykhov marking the 21st anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe.

Belarus, however, continues to pursue the necessary measures to provide proper radiation protection, the Belarusian leader said. The government implements a programme on mitigating the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe for 2006-2010, which focused on improving health and quality of life of the affected population.

Some $1.5 billion are to be allocated for the programme, with the bulk of the money to be channelled into the development of the Gomel and Mogilev oblasts.