Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement about situation in Russia [10 Aug 2010]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces a decision to return from the Latvian Embassy in the Russian Federation to Latvia diplomats who have health problems that been worsened by the unusually hot weather and its resulting consequences.

The Ministry has sent the remaining diplomats at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow gas masks, respirators and an oxygen concentrator. Under these conditions, the Latvian Embassy in Russia continues to work in an enhanced mode, for last week, seven additional employees were sent to work in the Consular section to eliminate the line for visa applications. Currently, all visa applicants have been served in Moscow.

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior is welcoming and extending the visas of tourists from Moscow and the surrounding region, who are currently in Latvia and want to extend their stay here.

Taking into account the complicated climate conditions, the Ministry has warned travellers, who have plans to travel to Russia, and to the Moscow region in particular, in the near future, to consider the possibility of delaying the trip. In response to a request from Russia, Latvia will send two State Fire and Rescue Service trucks, a headquarters car and 12 trained State Fire and Rescue Service officers. Assistance would be greatly facilitated by the Latvian – Russian agreement on cooperation in emergency prevention and elimination, which is currently at the coordination stage between the countries.

As a result of more than two weeks of unusually hot and humid weather, wide forest fires have taken over Russia. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has announced a state of emergency for seven areas in the country, including the Republic of Mordovia, Vladimir, Voronezh, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Voronezh region. By 8 August, in the territory of Russia as a whole 25 689 fires covering 744 488 hectares have been registered, and 161 886 people and 26 382 piece of equipment have been involved in combating the emergency situation. On 9 August alone, 796 cases of fire were recorded. Fifty-two casualties have also been reported.