Nicosia: Cypriot members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have welcomed the announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding the establishment of a European Firefighting Hub in Cyprus. This announcement was made during her State of the Union speech.
According to Cyprus News Agency, European People’s Party MEP Loukas Fourlas expressed that the announcement marks a positive advancement for Cyprus. He recalled the devastation in mountainous Limassol due to fires and emphasized the necessity for substantial support from the European Union. Fourlas advocated for a permanent European base for firefighting equipment in Cyprus, stating that the island state deserves access to immediate response mechanisms. He expressed satisfaction that this vision is becoming a reality, moving towards a Europe that actively protects its citizens.
Another European People’s Party MEP, Michalis Hadjipantela, also welcomed the announcement, noting that the hub would bolster Cyprus’s position within the EU and the Eastern Mediterranean. He highlighted the need for action in response to the climate crisis and previously called for strengthening the rescEU initiative and creating permanent response tools within the EU. Hadjipantela stressed the importance of EU solidarity, particularly with Southern European countries facing climate challenges such as drought and high temperatures.
Socialist-Democratic MEP Costas Mavrides described the announcement as a significant development for Cyprus, acknowledging the efforts made over the years to achieve this. He believes the hub will enhance fire response effectiveness in Cyprus and elevate the country’s regional role, serving as a support hub for both EU and Mediterranean nations. Mavrides linked this development to his earlier proposal for a crisis management center in Cyprus, which could offer geopolitical and economic benefits and integrate into European defense and security strategies. He called for a comprehensive approach to fire-related issues to prevent future tragedies.
Giorgos Georgiou, MEP of the Left Group, noted that the announcement aligns with AKEL’s long-standing proposal for a permanent European mechanism to tackle natural disasters, initially submitted in 2016. Despite initial neglect, persistent efforts led to the current decision to establish a Strategic Firefighting Base in Cyprus. Georgiou reflected on the inadequacies exposed by recent devastating fires in Cyprus and stressed the importance of implementing the Commission’s announcement with tangible investments in social policy and equipment. He urged for immediate planning, prevention, and preparation against natural disasters, alongside a holistic strategy by the Cypriot government to safeguard the land and its citizens.