**Title: Cypriot MEPs Advocate for Enhanced Wildfire Protection Amid Climate Crisis Concerns**
Cyprus, October 25, 2023 – During a plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday, Cypriot Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) urged for increased measures to protect the island from the escalating threats posed by wildfires, as discussions centered around the European Union's (EU) readiness to tackle future fires and heatwaves.
Akel MEP Giorgos Georgiou emphasized the immediate dangers of the climate crisis, stating, “The climate crisis is here, even if the conservative imitators of former U.S. President Donald Trump do not recognize it.” He expressed concern over the underestimation of the crisis by EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Georgiou pointed out the severe impacts of heatwaves and wildfires on southern European countries, particularly highlighting Cyprus's vulnerability.
“Extreme temperatures, prolonged drought, burned forests, lost property, and human lives at risk are not just statistics; they are realities we face,” he said. Georgiou called for a shift in focus from merely measuring disasters to implementing proactive prevention strategies, advocating for increased resilience and solidarity among EU member states. He proposed that Cyprus could serve as a model for forest firefighting and civil protection in the eastern Mediterranean, leveraging its strategic geographical position.
To bolster firefighting efforts, Georgiou requested the establishment of permanent aerial firefighting resources in Cyprus, including specialized personnel and adequate funding from the EU.
In contrast, Disy MEP Loukas Fourlas praised the European Commission's recent decision to enhance the deployment of firefighters and equipment to wildfire-prone areas within the EU through its civil protection mechanism. He noted that this year, the EU will deploy a record number of resources, including 777 firefighters, 22 aircraft, and five helicopters, to assist regions in need.
Fourlas highlighted the importance of planning for these resources, questioning how and when they would be allocated. He reiterated his support for a permanent and reinforced presence of the EU's rescEU disaster response capabilities in Cyprus, citing the island’s geographical isolation as a factor that increases its vulnerability to wildfires.
The rescEU initiative serves as the EU's strategic reserve for disaster response, which includes firefighting aircraft and other critical resources. Fourlas expressed optimism about the EU's direction in addressing wildfire threats but stressed the need for ongoing reinforcement of these capabilities.
The European Commission has confirmed that this year, firefighting personnel and equipment have been strategically deployed to high-risk areas across Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. Additionally, a regional firefighting hub has been established in Cyprus, aimed at enhancing wildfire preparedness and response capacities throughout Europe and the southern Mediterranean region.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the calls from Cypriot MEPs for enhanced wildfire protection reflect a growing concern for the safety and resilience of communities in the region. The discussions in Strasbourg mark a significant step towards addressing these pressing challenges and ensuring that Cyprus is better equipped to handle the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires.