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EC prepared to help Russia tackle the raging fires - Catherine Ashton

Thu, Aug 12 2010 13:40 CET

byThe Sofia Echo staff

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EC prepared to help Russia tackle the raging fires - Catherine Ashton

Firefighters work to extinguish fire at a house at the settlement of Berestyanki in Ryazan region, about 380km southeast of Moscow, August 9 2010.

Photo: Reuters

The European Union is on standby to help Russia against the hundreds of wildfires that have been ravaging the country. This was announced after a phone conversation between EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, the European Commission said in a statement on August 12 2010.

In the phone call, Ashton offered support to Russia to help tackle the crisis.

"Today (August 12) I called Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov to express the EU's solidarity with Russia in the wake of the recent forest fires and expressed my condolences, in particular to the family and friends of those who have died as a result of this terrible event," Ashton said.

"I am extremely pleased that many member states are assisting Russia at this time and I would like to commend my colleague, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva and her services for their efforts in this regard," Ashton added, the EC said.

Lavrov also expressed his gratitude toGeorgieva during the phone call, Ashton said.

"I reiterated the EU's offer of support, both now and into the future," Ashton said.

Bulgaria has dispatched nearly 100 fire fighters to Russia who are helping their Russian colleagues tackle the inferno.

On August 9, Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin thanked his Bulgarian counterpart Boiko Borisov for the Bulgarian assistance in quelling raging fires in Russia, Bulgarian media reported.

About 100 Bulgarian firefighters were commissioned to help their Russian colleagues deal with the crisis.

According to the report, Putin rated the performance of the Bulgarian detachment very highly. During a phone call to Borissov, Putin apparently praised their professionalism and dedication.

They were seriously engaged over the weekend near the towns of Likino-Dulevo and Noginsk.

On August 8, the Bulgarian team managed to extinguish a fire that came within two km of the town and threatened to destroy the nearby village of Yazvishte.

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