Strasbourg: Cypriot Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have openly criticized the European Commission for its lack of response to Cyprus’s needs during the recent devastating wildfire in Limassol. The fire claimed the lives of two citizens and ravaged hundreds of thousands of acres. The criticism came during a debate in the European Parliament Plenary in Strasbourg, focusing on the issue of wildfires.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Danish Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, representing the Danish presidency, emphasized that wildfires are no longer confined to the Mediterranean region. She stated, “This is the new normal, it is no coincidence that 2025 was the hottest summer on record in Europe.” Bjerre highlighted Denmark’s commitment to reaching an agreement on climate targets by the month’s end, stressing the EU’s dedication to enhancing preparedness for such disasters.
The European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, acknowledged the challenging summer marked by numerous wildfires across Southern Europe. She noted the Commission’s efforts, including deploying over 165 firefighters from various EU countries and utilizing the Copernicus service for satellite imagery. Despite these measures, more than 1 million hectares were burned, a significant increase from the average, Lahbib pointed out.
MEP Raºl De la Hoz Quintano from the European People’s Party (EPP) stressed the necessity of future solidarity among Member States, cautioning against exploiting disasters for political purposes. Meanwhile, Leire Pajin from the Socialists and Democrats Group called for more proactive measures in response to the climate emergency, advocating for comprehensive forest management plans and stricter legislation.
Ant³nio TSnger Corrªa from the Patriots for Europe (PfE) Group suggested that not all wildfires result from climate change, pointing to arson as a factor. He called for early fire extinguishing measures and reforestation techniques to prevent future incidents.
The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group’s Diego Solier criticized the lack of coordination among authorities, urging sustained investment. Gr©gory Allione of Renew Europe expressed shock at the summer’s devastation, calling for acknowledgment of the climate crisis and action against skeptics.
Terry Reintke from the Greens/EFA Group praised the efforts of European firefighters while urging the Commission to address the root causes of wildfires through nature-based solutions. She criticized the proposed abolition of the LIFE Programme, crucial for environmental initiatives.
AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou from the Left Group (GUE/NGL) criticized the EU’s insufficient support for Cyprus, highlighting the extensive damage and the government’s lack of accountability. He advocated for a European air firefighting base in Cyprus, emphasizing the need for better resource allocation.
Stanislav Stoyanov from the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group argued for stronger national capabilities alongside the European Civil Protection Mechanism. MEP Michalis Hadjipantela of DISY (EPP) lamented Cyprus’s vulnerability to climate change, calling for actionable support rather than mere sympathy from the EU.
Geadis Geadi of ELAM (ECR) underscored the inadequacies of the rescEU mechanism, proposing a pan-European fire brigade and enhanced cooperation between Member States. He thanked Italy and Israel for their prompt assistance during the crisis.
Independent MEP Phidias Panayiotou expressed frustration over the EU’s insufficient aid, noting that Cyprus received more help from non-EU countries. He stressed the need for a change in the EU’s approach to supporting distant Member States in times of crisis.