Azernews.Az

A seminar on disaster management during large scale events organised by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan and the Embassy of France in Azerbaijan, began its work in Baku on Monday.

The Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Faig Taghizadeh noted at the opening that Azerbaijan's Ministry of Emergency Situations attaches particular importance to international experience when performing its duties and in particular, that of relevant bodies in the countries with great potential in the field of emergency management, including France.

"Azerbaijan is located in a seismically active area and there is high probability of natural disasters. Alongside, there are areas of potential danger - oil and gas pipelines and chemical industry enterprises. As a result of international cooperation, the consequences of major disasters that have occurred in Azerbaijan in recent years were promptly eliminated and losses that could have been suffered by the people were minimised," he said.

According to Taghizadeh, Azerbaijan has always offered its assistance to the efforts to eliminate the consequences of emergency situations occurring in other countries.

"Relevant departments of the ministry have continuously participated in the elimination of disasters and saving lives through joining the search and rescue operations in different countries around the world," Taghizadeh said.

The Ministries of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan and France are discussing the issue of expansion of cooperation and providing master classes in the Academies of Emergency Situations of the two countries, the French ambassador to Azerbaijan Pascal Monnier said.

"France has been cooperating with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan over the past 10 years. However, we would like to further expand this cooperation," Monnier said.

He also noted that France supplies Azerbaijan with equipment for firefighting.

The ambassador said France is interested not only in the supply of equipment to Azerbaijan, but also in selling its technology in this field and the exchange of experiences within the institutional cooperation.

According to him, French companies participating in the seminar may contribute to the prevention of emergency situations in Azerbaijan in the future.

"Azerbaijan has a great potential and we are currently witnessing an increase in the non-oil sector," he said.

The French ambassador mentioned Gabala among developing regions of Azerbaijan.

"We are very impressed by the modernisation of the region. Gabala could become one of the tourist capitals of the Caucasus," he said.

Referring to relations between Azerbaijan and France, the ambassador noted the existence of good relations between the institutions of the two countries.

"Today, Azerbaijan has become a powerful and influential country holding major events. Such a prestigious event as the World Economic Forum has started its work in Baku. Azerbaijan will host the first European Olympic Games. Organisation of such events in Baku is another example of the growing international influence of the country," Monnier said.