Russia donates fire trucks worth over USD 9 million

Russia donates fire trucks worth over USD 9 million

Speaking during the ceremony in front of the Palace of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic said that this was "the biggest donation so far" to this service and the Emergency Situations Sector.

According to him, the average age of firefighting vehicles in Serbia is 28 years, while those given by Russia are "the best" and the most technically advanced - "something our firefighters will be proud of."

"I spoke to our firefighters and they told me they didn't even dare dream about something like this," the prime minister said, and explained that the new vehicles will be deployed "not only in Belgrade, but throughout Serbia." "The gift is worth USD 9.2 million, that is of huge value to our country. We are very grateful to our Russian friends... we know how to respect and appreciate that," said Vucic, and remarked that the trucks have the inscription, "To Serbian people from Russia."

According to Vucic, with this donation Russia demonstrated that "it knows how to care about the Serbian people" even when it is faced with "no so easy circumstances."

"I am convinced that the Serbian people know how to and will always know how to appreciate that support," the prime minister said.

The ceremony was also attended by Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Chepurin, who presented the donation, and representatives of the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center in Nis. The donation consists of ten fire trucks and four special vehicles.

Ambassador Chepurin said that Serbia and his country enjoy "good and friendly relations and always help one another."

The diplomat added that Russia is actively assisting Serbia "and is ready to send helicopters to help in any emergency situations."

According to a Beta news agency report, Chepurin stated he hoped the vehicles would last a long time, but wished that firefighters had as few occasions as possible to use them.