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PM Kvirikashvili: Azerbaijan was the first to send helicopter to help Georgia tackle forest fires

22 August 2017 13:24 (UTC +04:00)

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has made a special statement regarding the forest fires observed in the country, APA’s local bureau reported.

The prime minister highly appreciated the assistance provided by the neighboring countries to fight the fires.

"Apart from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey are also helping the country fight the fire. Azerbaijan was the first to send a helicopter yesterday. This afternoon Turkey also sent two helicopters and, upon a decision of the Turkish Prime Minister, a large Turkish firefighting aircraft will also arrive later today", he said.

Georgia was offered help from Russia too, but Prime Minister Kvirikashvili said "what we have so far is enough”. He hopes that no additional help will be needed.

The forest fires broke out on Georgian territory on Aug. 20. A special headquarters has been set up that unites authorities from all relevant state agencies to draw up strategies for handling the fire. Windy weather and high temperature make it difficult for firefighters to handle the blaze.