SLOVENE-HUNGARIAN COOPERATION IN PROTECTION AGAINST NATURAL AND OTHER DISASTERS

Abstract

Since 1991 Slovenia has independently established and maintained its relations with other countries and international organizations. It has intensively developed contacts with countries in the region, and is devoting considerable efforts to developing good relations and cooperation with neighbouring countries. In 1995, Slovenia entered into its first bilaterial agreement on cooperation in protection against natural and other disasters with Hungary. On the basis of this agreement, a permanent Slovene-Hungarian mixed committee was established to coordinate the realization of joint tasks. Within this body, a special subcommittee for border regions was established with the task of strengthening cooperation among border regions. The two countries have developed extensive and fruitful cooperation in several areas: informing on the hazards and consequences of natural and man-made disasters, assistance in eliminating the consequences of disasters, organization and conduction of joint protection and rescue exercises, education and training, exchange of scientific and technical information. These joint activities and endeavours are intensifying and are showing results in practice. Particularly intensive is cooperation in border areas.