PRESS RELEASE
Monday, 8 December 2008

Inter-governmental Agreement concluded between Ireland and Belarus today

Foreign Affairs Minister, Michael Martin welcomed a conclusion to a historic Inter-governmental Agreement between Ireland and Belarus today. Ireland is the first country to break the ban on children´s travel by concluding an Agreement to protect the rights of children to travel abroad.

In September, the story was broken by Chernobyl Childrens Project International (CCPI) who has been the driving force behind the opening of negotiations with Minister Michael Martin. Since then CCPI has lobbied at a national and international level to bring an Inter-governmental Agreement to the negotiating table. Ireland is making history today by the successful breakthrough which will act as a model for other countries seeking a bilateral Agreement with Belarus. Every year, close to 50,000 children affected by Chernobyl travel to all corners of the globe for Rest & Recuperation, medical assessment and treatment.

Olga Mititka and Krystina Nikitsionak, two young girls from the heart of the Chernobyl region made an extraordinary appeal for Minister Martin’s help in breaking the ban and allowing children like them to travel to Ireland for critical medical intervention. These two girls were in Cork to thank Minister Michael Martin in person for his unwavering commitment to their cause and bringing an end to the ban. The girls both featured in the recent RTE documentary "The Children Beyond Chernobyl" and stole the hearts of the Irish people.

Adi Roche said today "We are overjoyed. This is Christmas coming early! Words cannot describe how relieved we all are for the children and their host families up and down the country who can at last spend Christmas together. We have been waiting patiently for this day and thanks to Minister Martin we are the first country in the world to negotiate and conclude such a historic Inter-governmental Agreement. Olya and Kristina, our two young Ambassadors, can witness at first-hand the bravery and courage of the Irish people in fighting for this Agreement. Let us celebrate this momentous and historic day".

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