Spanish Prince visits Russia's rescuers training centre

His Royal Highness Felipe de Borbon Prince of Asturias visited the international rescuers training centre of the Russian emergencies ministry located near Moscow.

Prince Felipe met Sergei Shoigu, Russia's Emergencies Minister, in the centre, reported the ministry's press service. The Prince was interested in the ministry's structure and the way it prepares for rescue operations. Mr Shoigu said the two countries' co-operation had been very intensive in this area of late, particularly in humanitarian de-mining.

Russian emergencies ministry experts work as professors at the engineering academy of Spain's defence ministry. The academy trains field engineers for de-mining efforts in third countries.

The Russian minister suggested establishing a Russian-Spanish anti-mining centre. Russia is prepared to embark on the project both on a bilateral basis and within the United Nations, said the minister.

Nearly 80,000,000 mines have yet to be unearthed in more than 60 countries, report experts.

Russia has a huge expertise in de-mining. In the Balkans alone, Russian field engineers disposed of over 40,000 mines and other explosive devices.

Prince Felipe visited the Centre's firing ground where he was shown the de-mining equipment and technology. Among other things, the Prince saw dogs search mines and machines capable of examining 25-30,000 square metres of land a day.