The active phase of regional operational-tactical exercises of rescuers from Belarus, Latvia, and Lithuania began today in the Vitebsk region

9:23:54 24/6 RKO, RO, NET, SAVI / 16 June 24, Miory District / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The active phase of the regional operational-tactical exercises of rescuers from Belarus, Latvia and Lithuania began today in the Miory District of the Vitebsk Region, a BELTA correspondent reports. According to the tactical scenario, due to an unauthorized tap, the product pipeline was depressurized, leading to a leak and the entry of petroleum products into the Auta River, with a threat of subsequent entry into the Desna River and further into the Western Dvina River. A fire broke out from diesel fuel spilled on the ground over an area of more than 1,000 sq. m. The training situation is complicated by adverse weather conditions. Rain has begun in the exercise area, and the water level in the Auta River has noticeably risen. As reported by the press service of the Vitebsk Regional Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the main goal of the exercises is to practice the interaction of the units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Belarus, the forces and means of the State Fire and Rescue Service of the Republic of Latvia, the Department of Fire Safety and Rescue under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, and the operational services and formations of the "Druzhba" oil product pipeline in eliminating an accident at the "Surgut-Polotsk" oil pipeline and preventing oil from entering the Daugava River in the Republic of Latvia. The exercises of Belarusian, Latvian and Lithuanian rescuers, which are being held in the Vitebsk Region on June 23-24, are part of the international project "Strengthening Regional Capacity for Prevention and Response to Chemical Accidents with Transboundary Consequences in the Belarus-Latvia-Lithuania Region," designed for 2008-2009. More than 200 employees of emergency rescue and emergency recovery services, 80 units of equipment, including 4 helicopters and 2 aircraft of the Ministry of Emergency Situations units, are participating in the exercises. More than 30 observers, including from the European Union, are monitoring the progress of the exercises. The project "Strengthening Regional Capacity for Prevention and Response to Chemical Accidents with Transboundary Consequences in the Belarus-Latvia-Lithuania Region" is partially funded by the European Commission under the Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument. A grant of 1 million euros has been allocated for its implementation. Almost all of these funds will be used to equip Belarusian rescue units. The publication of brochures and the creation of stands to inform the public about actions in case of chemical accidents are also planned. The transboundary region (northwestern Republic of Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania) is characterized by a high concentration of chemical facilities ("Polimir," "Naftan," the Republican Unitary Enterprise for Oil Transport "Druzhba," PO "Azot"), a dense transport network, and remoteness from major cities. Thus, there is a potential threat of chemical accidents in the region. In case of untimely or inadequate response to such accidents, their consequences may spread over vast territories, including the territories of neighboring states. The implementation of the project will create an effective platform and necessary resources for productive cooperation in strengthening regional capacity for the prevention and response to chemical accidents. -0-