Greece, Slovenia send helicopters to snowbound Montenegro
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E-mail Xinhua, February 15, 2012
Greek and Slovenian helicopters arrived in the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica to help the Balkan state with the distribution of emergency supplies and rescue missions, as the blizzard-battered country tries to dig out after devastating winter storms, Radio Television Montenegro (RTCG) reported on Tuesday.
Montenegro, which declared a state of emergency due to record snowfall and subzero temperatures, asked for assistance from NATO headquarters to deal with the natural disaster.
"I would like to take this opportunity to send a broader message to our European partners that in these hard times we must never forget the meaning of the word solidarity," said Greek Ambassador Manolis Papadojorgakis as he greeted the five-member crew onboard The Greek "Super Puma" helicopter at the Podgorica airport.
With the arrival of the Slovenian helicopter, Slovenian Ambassador Vladimir Gasparic underscored the value of membership in the common military alliance.
Although Montenegro is not a full NATO member, the country was accepted into the Membership Action Plan (MAP), which gives it access to NATO resources.
Montenegrin Minister of Defense Boro Vucinic said the helicopters would immediately be put into action, initially transporting emergency crews to the hydro-electrical generating station on the Piva River, in the hard-hit northern region on the country.
