The ceremony of handing over 40 fire trucks from Russia to the ministry of emergency situations of Kyrgyzstan took place on Wednesday in Bishkek, TASS correspondent reports from the scene.
"Today, as part of the implementation of the order of Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, we are transferring 40 fire tank trucks to our colleagues. These unique fire trucks are equipped with modern equipment and made in Russia. We are transferring them into the hands of true professionals. I am sure that these vehicles will serve worthily for the benefit of people and in the name of saving their lives", Minister of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters of the Russian Federation Alexander Kurenkov said at the ceremony.
According to him, Kyrgyzstan-Russia relations "are traditionally friendly and based on the principles of mutual respect." "We are always open to cooperation and interested in the development and prosperity of brotherly Kyrgyzstan. Including its strong service capable of protecting the population from fires and strikes of the natural disaster," the minister continued.
He assured that the Russian side is "constantly assisting in strengthening the capacity of the ministry of emergency situations" of Kyrgyzstan. "We understand that by helping our friends and allies, we also contribute to their security," Kurenkov emphasized.
Helping Kyrgyzstan
"Today's event is only part of the program, which is being implemented by the decision of the presidents of the two countries," Igor Maslov, Head of the Russian President's Department for Interregional and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, explained, commenting on the event.
According to him, the fire-fighting vehicles provided by Russia were made "on a special order of their Kyrgyz colleagues" on the chassis of the Kamaz car. "These vehicles are designed to work in the countryside, in hard-to-access areas, in mountainous conditions," he specified.
The head of the department has assured that Russia will provide the Kyrgyz emergency services with the next batch of aid this fall. It is a special Russian-made helicopter for rescue operations. "Only this program under EMERCOM costs $20 million," he specified, adding that there are "a large number and variety of similar programs."
In particular, there is a project of grant support for Kyrgyzstan, under which Russia has allocated $10 million to restore the social infrastructure of the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan, which suffered as a result of last year's armed conflict at the border. In addition, there are programs of the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development, which last year allocated $80 million to Kyrgyzstan "for various projects. "In 2023, another $80 million will be allocated," Maslov promised.
Building schools
In addition, he continued, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk will arrive in Bishkek on March 29 to sign a document on Russia's construction of nine general education schools in Kyrgyzstan's regions.
"A very important program is the school construction program. It will include the construction of nine schools in various regions of Kyrgyzstan. Each of them will be an ultramodern school for 1,200 people, equipped with high-tech equipment with two swimming pools and a good sports base," stated the Russian representative.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Moscow-Live/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS