Putin urges int'l medical cooperation to oppose emergence of more dangerous coronavirus variants

MOSCOW. Nov 12 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that new and more dangerous variants of the novel coronavirus infection might appear in the world.

"Multiple socioeconomic and other problems persist in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide, of which you, dear colleagues, have said, and coronavirus itself is still far from having been defeated. The emergence of new and even more dangerous strains of this infection is quite possible," Putin said at a summit of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation forum in a videoconference format on Friday.

Countries should do all they can to bolster their healthcare systems and enhance their provisions with resources and technology, he said.

"And definitely, qualitative improvement of international cooperation in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors would promote the attainment of these ambitious goals," he said.

In this context, the World Health Organization's role is becoming ever more important, he said.

"And certainly, its activities deserve all possible support. Any steps that could infringe upon the prerogative of the WHO working under the UN auspices are unacceptable," Putin said.