The European Commission has formally proposed that the European Union (EU) should contribute €14.4 million to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund in 2006.

EU ministers are expected to rubber stamp the request, which is the first instalment of a pledge to donate €49.1 million from 2006-9 to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)-run fund, which has been suffering budgetary shortfalls.