Matters of civil protection are very important for the state, said Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Kypros Kyprianou.
He was speaking after attending a drill in Larnaca between Cyprus and Israel for handling earthquakes. Observers from Israel and Greece also watched the drill that dealt with the consequences of a quake on the 7.3 Richter scale that took place in the Gulf of Larnaca.
Kyprianou said he was satisfied with the results of the drill adding that these exercises give the chance to ascertain any weaknesses that might arise and decisions to be taken on how to handle them.
Civil protection issues, he added, are of utmost significance since they are dealing with human lives and the state’s capabilities to respond to such issues in an effective manner.
Kyprianou said his department is exchanging views with the foreign observers who have made very satisfactory comments on the level of today’s drill.
Civil Defence Commander, Andreas Frantzis said the drill dealt with the catastrophic consequences of a large earthquake.
Many services are involved in the drill and many issues are dealt with such as telecommunications and electricity supply and ways to improve cooperation.