Bulgaria is edging closer to setting up a European training centre for specialists in the sphere of disasters, accidents and calamities.

The National Assembly approved the construction of such a centre, as well as of a school for paramedics, with amendments, at first reading, to the Bulgarian Red Cross Act. The amendments allow for the establishment of the right to build, free of charge, on private, public or state property on behalf of the Bulgarian Red Cross.

The idea for such an educational establishment in the country was launched several years ago by the Francesco Rocca, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The centre, with a capacity of 1,200, will train paramedics from Bulgaria and the whole of Europe.