First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic said today that the introduction of the telephone number for emergencies "112" is important from the point of quicker and more efficient help to people in extraordinary circumstances.

Dacic specified that this applies to natural disasters, fires, floods or traffic accidents.

He recalled that an emergency situation is in force due to the cold wave in Serbia since 5 February and pointed out that the existence of the emergency phone line would contribute to faster and better response in emergency situations.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the EU’s support in this field is of great importance.

Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia Vincent Degert expressed his condolences to the families of victims who died during the ice wave in Serbia and said that the EU will support Serbia's efforts to introduce this system.

Assistant Minister of the Interior and Head of the Sector for Emergency Situations Predrag Maric said that the emergency services have been fighting with the consequences of the ice wave in Serbia for 36 days.

Maric underlined that the advantages of the “112” system are faster interventions and better linking of state bodies and voiced hope that this system will start to be used next year.

European Day of number “112” is observed in EU countries on 11 February as of 2009.

In all EU countries, “112” is a toll free number for emergency situations which can simultaneously connect callers with all three emergency services - police, fire fighters and ambulance.

The introduction of this number in Serbia is envisaged by the Law on emergency situations that was adopted, and at the same time is one of Serbia’s obligations in order to become a full EU member.