Assistant Minister of the Interior and Head of the Sector for Emergency Situations Predrag Maric said today that it is important to develop efficient international relations in order to save lives and offer humanitarian assistance to all those in need.

Speaking at an international seminar on rescue from ruins held at the Hotel M in Belgrade, Maric said that the training of rescue teams and advancements in technology are of great help to endangered populations and the countries that are hit by natural or manmade disasters – earthquakes, landslides and fires.

The Sector for Emergency Situations of the Serbian Ministry of the Interior has started a training programme of rescue teams, in association with the French Ministry of the Interior.

Pointing out that regional cooperation and exchange of experience is very important, French Ambassador to Serbia Jean-Francois Terral said that the training programme which was launched by France, includes Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia, and it will include field work and holding of similar seminars.

Danish Ambassador to Serbia Mette Kjuel Nielsen said that it is very important that Serbia is able to help other countries in rescue operations.

The two-day event has been organised by the Sector for Emergency Situations and the Danish Agency for Emergency Situations, as part of activities of the regional Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative.