Bulgaria, U.S. urge SE Europe to cooperate in emergency protection

SOFIA, Dec. 2 -- The United States and Bulgaria called for cooperation on emergency protection during the annual meeting of the Civil Military Emergency Planning Council for South-Eastern Europe (CMEPC SEE), held here on Wednesday.

"It is very important for southeast European countries to share critical information in emergency situations," Andrew J. Bruzewicz, director of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said during the opening ceremony.

The annual meeting was attended by representatives of all member countries of CMEPC SEE and the NATO Center of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism.

According to Bulgarian deputy minister of interior Pavlin Dimitrov, the CMEPC SEE countries had to concentrate their efforts on development of joint projects in civil protection and emergency planning.

"It is crucial to discuss all options to improve the exchange of information and to provide assistance in case of disaster," Dimitrov said.

He said natural disasters taking place in southeast Europe in recent years seriously threatened the civil security in the region.

CMEPC SEE, which was founded in 2001, advocates for the development of common standards and procedures for planning and response to regional disasters and emergencies.