Initiatives within the Southeastern Europe Health Network with an emphasis on the opening of a center to deal with health-related crisis situations, such as the recent floodings in the countries in the region that are part of the Health Network, and the role of the WHO Regional Director for Europe in supporting the network and its functioning are some of the topics which have been mentioned by Health Minister Nikola Todorov in his address at the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, which kicked off Monday in Copenhagen.

"We want to set up a permanent body which will be able to act quickly in crisis situations, to organize itself and to provide assistance for a country hit by any natural disaster," Todorov stated after delivering an address.

He said he expected the WHO support to the functioning of the SEE Health Network to be resumed in the future, which was set to be affirmed by a conference which will take place in Skopje in early November and is expected to bring together health ministers of the member countries of the SEE Health Network.

Minister Todorov is scheduled to chair a meeting of health ministers of SEE Health Network countries due to be held today on the sidelines of the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

After the ministerial meeting, Todorov will visit the Copenhagen University Hospital and is also set to present the opportunities for investment in Macedonia's free healthcare zones to representatives of several local hospitals and insurance companies.