Balkans | Turkish and Serbian search and rescue teams met in Serbia

The AKUT Search and Rescue Association and Serbian Search and Rescue teams gathered at a conference titled “Allies in Disaster: The Turkish-Serbian Experience” held in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Opening the conference held at the University of Novi Sad, State Secretary of the Serbian Ministry of Defense Nemanja Starovic said that relations between Turkey and Serbia are going through a dynamic period in many areas, including disaster management and disaster relief.

“Disasters happen sometimes, and when they do, our duty is to show solidarity,” Starovich said. He said.

Esra Ustenkaya, who attended the conference on behalf of AKUT, stated that she will share her experiences with the Serbian team about the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş that occurred on February 6.

Ustinkaya thanked the Serbian teams that participated in the search and rescue efforts in Turkey during the earthquakes and indicated that the Turkish people will never forget this assistance.

Dragan Bilic, from the Serbian Search and Rescue Team, said: “We are here today to analyze and summarize the impressions we had during our time in Turkey and discuss all the steps we took there. At the same time, we came together to discuss future cooperation and exercises such as exercises.” He said.