According to Viktor Yanukovych, recent accidents at the mines Sukhodilska, Bazhanova, and Krasnokutska showed that the issue is still urgent. "We mourn the killed miners. Bright memory of these heroes of hard work will remain forever in our hearts," the President of Ukraine said.
President Yanukovych said there is an active search for investemt going on to create safe working conditions for miners and ensure gradual transition to safety standards applied at the leading European coalmines.
He said there were agreements reached with the People's Republic of China on launching a joint pilot project to upgrade the Melnikov mine in the Luhansk region.
According to the President, it is planned that China will invest about $1 billion into Ukrainian coalmining industry.
