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Russia offers assistance to Italy hit by series of quakes

RF prepared to professionally offer any assistance and support which Italy might need

MOSCOW, June 20 (Itar-Tass) — The Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations has offered assistance to Italy which suffered as a result of a series of recent quakes, Russian Minister for Emergency Situations Vladimir Puchkov declared at a meeting with Italian ambassador to Russia Antonio Zanardi Landi.

"We are prepared to professionally offer any assistance and support which Italy might need," Puchkov said. He expressed condolences to the Italian ambassador over a recent series of quakes in which people were killed and damages inflicted.

Russia and Italy have an experience of joint operations, Puchkov said. He reminded of joint work to inspect buildings and making a project how these buildings might be used after the devastating L'Aquila quake.

The Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations and Italy' s Civil Defense Department cooperate in different fields for many years, Puchkov said. We took part in joint exercises and drills. Documents and plans were signed on cooperation in different fields, including personnel training and improving the effectiveness of rescue telephone service "112", Puchkov said. Besides, an agreement was signed between the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations and the Italian department of the Order of Malta on interaction of volunteers, Puchkov said.