NEMA HEAD MEETS S.KOREAN COUNTERPART

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ On Wednesday, a head of the National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia T.Dulamdorj met his counterpart of the Republic of Korea Mr Lee Ki-hwan who is visiting Mongolia these days. In frames of the visit, the two heads signed an alteration of the cooperation document. The Korean delegation got au fait with activities of the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency and met with the Deputy Prime Minister D.Terbishdagva and the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia Ms Sezin Sinanoglu. After establishing the diplomatic relations in 1990, the two countries have been cooperating in many sectors, including the emergency management sphere, and have become strategic partners. During the first visit of the S.Korean National Emergency Management Agency's head Mr Muun Wong-kyong to Mongolia, a cooperation memorandum was inked between the two agencies. Since then, the sides have been cooperating in strengthening the national capacity of protection against disasters, improving knowledge and skills of emergency officers and servicemen, and renovating techniques and facilities. For example, the National Institute of Disaster Studies expanded its activities, becoming a scientific institute thanks to realizing a project with a financing of USD 1.2 million in lines of the S.Korean government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). In addition, the Mongolian rescuers have been involved in exercise-trainings organized by the S. Korean National Rescue Service since the year 2008. Within the cooperation memorandum, the Korea's Firefighting Service gave to Mongolia firefighting vehicles, ambulance and rescue-operation cars, which have been delivered to ten provinces. Signing the amendment of the cooperation memorandum for 2012-2016, the sides will expand the collaboration in combating disasters and bringing the ties into a newer level. B.Khuder