Conference of  Russian and Armenian rescue services launches  in  Yerevan

ArmInfo. The conference "The Spitak Earthquake: A Tragedy that United Nations" has opened at the Moscow House in Yerevan, featuring representatives from the rescue services of Russia and Armenia.

According to the Moscow House press service, welcoming the  participants, Igor Tkach, First Deputy Head of the Moscow Department  of Foreign Economic and International Relations, emphasized the  importance of such forums in strengthening business and humanitarian  ties, as well as fostering a sustainable dialogue between the  relevant agencies of Russia and Armenia.  "It's symbolic that this  meeting is taking place during the 81st anniversary of Victory in the  Great Patriotic War, which unites our peoples with a shared memory  and respect for the heroism of our fathers and grandfathers. The  significance of today's event is difficult to overestimate   it's an  important platform for exchanging experiences between representatives  of our countries' rescue services, which have a rich history of  cooperation in this area. A striking example of this is the  participation of Russian specialists in the aftermath of the 1988  Spitak earthquake, and we are pleased that Avetik Aslanyan and Yuri  Rasskazov, who were directly involved in these tragic events, are  among the participants of our meeting today. I believe they will also  have something to tell and share," said Igor Tkach.

 In turn, Alexander Novikov, Advisor to the Russian Embassy in  Armenia, read a greeting from Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin to  the conference participants. He stated that the cooperation between  the rescue services of the two countries has a long history and,  thanks to this, in particular, during the tragic days of the Spitak  earthquake, many lives were saved, demonstrating the true brotherhood  of our peoples.  "Today, cooperation between the rescue services of  Russia and Armenia continues to actively develop. For over ten years,  rescuers from our countries have successfully collaborated under the  agreement to establish the Russian-Armenian Humanitarian Response  Center, which has become a platform for exchanging experience,  conducting joint exercises, and providing prompt assistance in  emergency situations. I am confident that today's meeting will give  additional impetus to bilateral professional ties and will be another  step in improving the security of our countries' citizens," the  message stated.

As the host, Hayk Melikyan, Director of the Moscow House in Yerevan,  welcomed those present, wishing them success and productive work.   Representatives of the Armenian side confirmed the importance of  organizing such forums. "Such meetings bring real benefits in terms  of communication between specialists, sharing experiences, and  specifying areas for further cooperation," David Gevorgyan, Head of  the Yerevan Municipality's Department of Foreign Relations, noted.  The conference was also attended by Arsen Mkrtchyan, Deputy Director  of the RA MIA Rescue Service, German Dobryakov, Head of the  South-Eastern Administrative District Department at the Moscow  Department of Civil Defense, Emergencies, and Fire Safety; Armen  Ohanyan, Director of the Russian- Armenian Humanitarian Response  Center; Ekaterina Andreeva, Deputy Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo  Representative Office in  Armenia; representatives from the Russian  Erebuni Air Base; and others.

During the conference, participants presented their work, shared  their achievements and accumulated experience, and discussed  opportunities for further cooperation.  As part of the forum,  organized by the Moscow Government, the Moscow Department of Foreign  Economic and International Relations, the Moscow House of  Compatriots, and the Moscow House in Yerevan, participants will visit  Gyumri and Spitak, where flower-laying ceremonies will be held at the  Spitak Earthquake Victims Monument.