Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Disaster Management Minister Emel Etem extends an invitation to

Russian Minister of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Natural Disasters Sergey Shoygu. This transpired at an official meeting of Etem with Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Anatoly Popov, the Disaster Management Ministry' Press Centre said on Wednesday.

"I voice my gratitude for the assistance provided and invite you to visit Bulgaria and the Disaster Management Ministry. I am confident that this will affirm the professional cooperation between the two ministries," says a letter of gratitude to Shoygu, handed by Minister Etem to Popov.

Etem thanked for the Russian assistance in the suppression of wildfires in this country in July.

Minister Etem handed Ambassador Potapov a plaquette of the Disaster Management Ministry and diplomas for the crew of the IL-76 Russian plane, which took part in the fore suppression activities.

At the meeting the sides also discussed cooperation in the prevention and liquidation of the consequences of disasters.