Igor Klymenko: In June, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine will open an office on cooperation with the Civil Protection Mechanism
This was emphasized by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine during the ceremony on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC) in Brussels. The event was chaired by the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic and the Minister of Civil Defence of the Kingdom of Sweden Karl-Oskar Bolin. Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
As you know, the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union is the world's largest system of providing international coordinated operational assistance in case of emergency situations, which is especially important for Ukraine, which has been at war for more than a year.
“We are already actively using the Civil Protection Mechanism — as recipients of assistance — for which we are extremely grateful to our trusted friends and partners, as well as ready to work as providers. To this end, we plan to open a corresponding office in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in June, which will act as a point of contact for cooperation with the Mechanism,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klymenko.
Thus, during the event, Igor Klymenko said that for more than 15 months Ukraine has successfully repelled numerous attacks of the enemy on the ground, water and in the air. During this time, the bodies and units of the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have gained experience in ensuring the sustainable functioning of the state system of physical protection of nuclear installations of Ukraine, prevention of their destruction or damage, unauthorized leakage of nuclear material.
However, according to the Minister, Ukraine currently needs help from partners in the issue of equipping with means of personal protection equipment. In particular, Igor Klymenko called on European partners to strengthen Ukraine's capacity to implement the Civil Protection Mechanism:
“The main number of personal protection equipment, radiation, chemical, biological intelligence devices used in the organs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system are technically obsolete. Accordingly, this complicates the ability to qualitatively perform tasks as intended. That is why we call on international partners to strengthen our capabilities, including through the use of the Civil Protection Mechanism, so that Ukraine can withstand all risks from the Russian side.”
Igor Klymenko added that Ukraine is already gaining significant experience in using this Mechanism and is ready to share it with other partners.
In his turn, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarchich confirmed Ukraine's steadfast support in its fight against the enemy:
“Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine, which continues to this day, has caused the most serious security situation in Europe since the Second World War, and the EU's strong response reflects this. In addition to equipping rapid response services, facilitating humanitarian operations and assisting in supporting and restoring Ukraine's energy sector, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is used to help Ukraine, as well as other European countries, prepare for the real possibility of large-scale chemical and bio-related incidents. “Radiological, Nuclear and Radiological Materials.”
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klymenko thanked the partners for their assistance in countering the Russian invasion and stressed that the security of all Europe depends on joint efforts.
“Taking this opportunity, I thank all our partners and colleagues for their support to Ukraine. Only by joint efforts will we be able to guarantee proper security for the citizens of our countries and the whole continent in general,” Ihor Klymenko summed up.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
