Russia, Italy agree on cooperation via emergency response agencies
MOSCOW. Nov 16 (Interfax) - The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry and Italian rescue units will develop cooperation in disaster prevention and recovery.
Russian Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov and head of the Civil Defense Department at the Italian Council of Ministers Angelo Borelli reached the relevant agreements at a working meeting, a TASS correspondent reported.
"Russia and Italy have a centuries-long history of cooperation in a wide range of issues, including economics, culture, and many other fields," the minister said.
Cooperation in civil defense and disaster recovery and prevention is especially important, he said. Puchkov recalled that Russian rescue workers participated in tackling the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Amatrice and Rome in August 2016.
The Russian Emergency Situations Minsitry considers exchange of practical experience during joint drills important, the minister said. "The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry is ready to participate in an international flood response exercise in 2018," Puchkov said. The minister also invited the Italian delegations and rescue workers to participate in the Comprehensive Safety exhibition in 2018.
"Such practical training will help our experts work in a more consistent manner in the most difficult circumstances," Puchkov said.
Borelli, for his part, thanked Puchkov for the invitation and accepted it.
"We are interested in practical development of our relations. We are interested in your technologies from the National Crisis Control Center, the operation of systems monitoring emergency situations, space, seismic events, and tidal waves prevention," he said.