Limassol: Minister of Energy, George Papanastasiou, and Egyptian Minister of Petroleum, Karim Badawi, announced in joint statements on Thursday at the coordination center in Limassol, the dispatch of two specialized helicopters from Egypt to assist in extinguishing the fires that have been raging since yesterday in Paphos and Limassol. The helicopters are expected to arrive in Cyprus by this afternoon.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum is visiting Cyprus for discussions primarily on energy issues, specifically the exploitation of the “Kronos” field. However, he emphasized that the immediate priority is addressing the fires. Following a request by Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos to his Egyptian counterpart, Egypt has offered assistance with aircraft, first aid, and other related support.
Badawi conveyed condolences on behalf of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, for the loss of life during these tragic fires. He stated that once the President was informed of the situation, he promptly instructed to provide all necessary support to Cyprus to manage and alleviate the crisis.
The Egyptian Minister elaborated that two specialized helicopters are being readied for dispatch to Cyprus within the next few hours. Their mission is to provide tangible support to the people of Cyprus and aid ongoing operations. He emphasized Egypt’s role as a reliable partner for Cyprus in both prosperous and challenging times, expressing solidarity with the Cypriot people.
When questioned about additional support beyond helicopters, Badawi mentioned that President al-Sisi’s instructions included ensuring helicopters equipped with specialized crews and medical support capabilities are part of the aid package. He underscored the close relationship between Egypt and Cyprus, highlighting the commitment to work together to provide necessary support.
Badawi assured full collaboration with Minister George Papanastasiou on various matters, noting that the initial purpose of the visit took on greater urgency due to the fires. He reiterated Egypt’s commitment to be a reliable partner in alleviating the situation swiftly.
In conclusion, Papanastasiou expressed gratitude for Egypt’s prompt response and assistance, highlighting the swift coordination and support initiated by Minister Badawi, the Egyptian President, and the Prime Minister. He expressed hope for the timely arrival of the Egyptian teams and helicopters to aid in firefighting efforts.