An international complex exercise “Caspian 2017” of the rescue services of Caspian littoral states is underway in Shipyard Plant in Garadagh district, Baku.
The exercise was organized by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations(MES), APA reported.
The two-day exercise involves the manpower and vehicles of the MES, the relevant bodies of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.
Besides, the personnel and special equipment and devices of Azerbaijan’s power structures and other bodies, including the Special State Protection Service, State Security Service, State Border Service, the Ministries of Defense, Internal Affairs and Health, State Maritime Administration, ANAMA, SOCAR and BP are involved in the exercise as well.
Minister of Emergency Situations, Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov, Head of the State Border Service, Colonel General Elchin Guliyev, Head of the Azerbaijani State Security Service, Lieutenant General Madat Guliyev, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Head of Iranian Disaster Management Organization Ismail Najjar, Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Vladlen Aksyonov, Chairman of the Committee for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan Marat Kuldikov, Chief of Rescue Department of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan Panah Ilyasov, diplomatic representatives of foreign states in Azerbaijan, officers of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and officials of relevant agencies watched the exercise titled “Joint activity of Azerbaijani Emergency Situations and rescue services of Caspian littoral states during emergency situations”.
First, equipment and devices of the bodies involved in the exercise were reviewed.
Then a consultation was held at the headquarters.
Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov said that for the first time Baku is hosting the “Caspian 2017” international exercise with the participation of Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
“This exercise with the participation of the Caspian littoral countries’ rescue services is an important event. Today, a new format of cooperation is emerging between the five countries. Our peoples, who have been neighbors for centuries, are united by common geography and history,” he said.
The minister said that Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. “In recent years, these ties have reached the level of strategic partnership,” he noted.
“Natural and man-made risks have been growing in the region we live in. We know that earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions and similar natural disasters do not result directly from human activities. Climate change has already resulted in serious consequences in different countries, and it is only becoming more and more dangerous as times goes by. The Caspian Sea, by which we are united, is our common property. We regard the Caspian Sea as the sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. Azerbaijan is focused on developing bilateral relations with the Caspian littoral states on the basis of mutual respect and trust. Close friendly relations and multi-vectored cooperation between these countries ensure stability, prosperity and security in our region. Therefore, protection of the Caspian Sea ecosystem is a common cause for all Caspian littoral states,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations, Lieutenant-General Etibar Mirzayev, who is managing the exercise, said that 1,100 personnel, 208 vehicles of varying purposes, 2 planes, 5 helicopters, 10 speed boats, 8 ships and 6 specially trained dogs are involved in the exercise.