OSCE completes removal of highly toxic rocket fuel in Belarus

MINSK, 11 June 2018 - Highly toxic rocket fuel components completely removed in Belarus on 11 June 2018. The representatives of the OSCE, Belarus Defence Ministry, the Contractor, international experts and donors signed the final certificates of the joint project closure today in Minsk.

A multi-year project was implemented by the OSCE upon request for assistance submitted by Belarus in 2013. At that time, Belarus did not have the capacity to handle this problem on its own. These chemicals posed risk to the health of a population and to the environment in the country.

Marcel Peško, the Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) said: “I would like to congratulate all of us for this remarkable achievement. The people of Belarus are now free from this toxic danger and I express my gratitude to the Defence Ministry and the Contractor for the professionalism and co-ordinated efforts which resulted in such a success.”

Andrei Ravkov, Belarus Defence Minister, extended his gratitude for the provided assistance and for contribution to the safety and security of Belarus.

Both thanked the donors to the project, Hungary, Spain, and Sweden, and the contractor, Technoazot Ltd, that made it possible to remove the hazardous materials from Belarus.