Putin suggests holding joint exercise with ASEAN to respond to infectious diseases

SINGAPORE, November 14. /TASS/. Moscow could hold a joint exercise with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to respond to infectious diseases, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a plenary meeting of the Russia-ASEAN summit in Singapore. He also suggested that medical workers from ASEAN countries undergo refresher training at the Center for Biological Security in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok. "We could consider the possibility of holding a joint exercise to respond to dangerous infectious diseases," the Russian president said, adding that Moscow was ready to continue assisting ASEAN member states in combating the spread of infectious diseases. "We suggest that you take advantage of the refresher training programs that the Center for Biological Security, which opened in Vladivostok earlier this year, offers to medical workers," Putin added. According to the Russian head of state, close coordination in dealing with the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters is important. Work on a memorandum on cooperation in preventing and responding to disasters has already been completed. "We expect it to be signed in the near future," Putin concluded. Read more