Russia, ASEAN to sign agreement on disaster cooperation by year-end - diplomat

SOCHI, May 19. /TASS/. An agreement between Russia’s Emergencies Ministry and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on preventing and responding to disasters is due to be signed by the end of 2016, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said on Thursday. "In the near future this agreement between Russia’s Emergencies Ministry and partners in ASEAN countries will be signed," Morgulov said, adding that "it is difficult to forecast any dates, but I think it (document) will be signed by the end of the year." The effort in this sphere is carried out until the agreement is signed. "Various emergency situations occur in ASEAN countries and our rescuers are often among the first ones who give a helping hand to the people of affected countries," the diplomat said. Read more