Troodos: Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Christos Senekis, highlighted on Saturday the importance of cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, as well as European solidarity in tackling forest fires, during an event held Saturday at the Platania Forest Station in the Troodos National Forest Park in honor of members of a Greek forest firefighting team currently visiting Cyprus.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Senekis noted that this marks the first time Cyprus is participating in the European "Prepositioning" program as a host country for a pre-positioned forest firefighting force, emphasizing the significance of the fact that the first team hosted under this program comes from Greece.

He stated that the 21 members of the Greek mission are in Cyprus to familiarize themselves with the forest fire prevention and suppression system, the organization and coordination of operations, fire protection infrastructure, and the specific conditions of Cypriot forests.

The Greek members are also participating in training sessions and joint activities alongside personnel from the Department of Forests. The Minister of Agriculture noted that the fundamental goal of "prepositioning" is to ensure that cooperation does not begin only at the moment of a crisis, but preparation, familiarization, coordination, and building of trust are in place before the forces are called upon to operate jointly.

Senekis noted that for Cyprus this initial experience, as a host nation, facilitates the enhancement of force interoperability, the exchange of experience and expertise, and the acquisition of shared operational experience prior to the onset of an actual crisis.

The Minister also noted that forest fires know no borders and can, within a few hours, threaten human lives, property, communities, and natural resources, potentially overwhelming even the capabilities of well-organized states. For this reason, he pointed out, cooperation and solidarity are an essential necessity, rather than merely concepts included in European plans and protocols.

He described the presence of the Greek mission as a tangible example of European solidarity, referring also to the close ties between Cyprus and Greece. He recalled that the two countries have repeatedly stood by each other during difficult times, particularly in combating forest fires.

He also thanked the Department of Forests and the Civil Defence for their cooperation in the preparation, hosting, and operational integration of the Greek mission, as well as the Greek government and the Hellenic Fire Service.

Addressing the 21 team members, he expressed Cyprus' gratitude for their presence and voiced the hope that the readiness built through joint training would not need to be tested in a real-life incident. But, he noted, should that difficult moment arrive, we know we will stand together, side by side.