Emergency Response Headquarters session

Macut said that he had asked Interior Minister Ivica Dačić to convene an emergency session of the Emergency Response Headquarters because the falling level of the Danube is threatening crop irrigation and could also potentially affect the operation of the Djerdap Hydroelectric Power Plant.

“What is currently of greatest concern is the drought and the falling level of the Danube. Today we will hold an emergency session, where I asked the minister to convene the Headquarters so we can determine what measures need to be taken in response to the declining water level of the Danube. Our crops are at risk, as is the technical water needed for irrigation, as well as for maintaining the energy stability of the Djerdap hydropower system,” the prime minister said in an interview with Serbia’s public broadcaster RTS.

He added that Serbia is better prepared than other countries in the region to respond to emergencies, noting that this is demonstrated by the participation of Serbian teams in efforts to extinguish major wildfires in Spain.

“We are certainly much better prepared than any other country in the region. The situation in Spain shows that we have the capacity to help other countries as well. Last year we experienced a large number of wildfires, and the response was very swift. At the moment, we are not facing such a situation, and I believe we will respond extremely quickly because that has already become standard practice for us. We are well equipped, there are Emergency Sector response units throughout Serbia, and they are doing an excellent job,” Macut said.