Brussels, 03/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - European solidarity is at work to help Israel fight the worst forest fires that it has suffered in recent decades.
In response to Israel's call for assistance during the evening of Thursday 2 December, the EU Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) leapt into action, and offers of assistance have come flooding in. On Friday 3 December, four Greek fire-fighting aircraft were already on the scene, and 92 firemen were on their way from Bulgaria to Israel. Many of the 31 countries that make up the EU Civil Protection Mechanism immediately made offers to provide fire-retardant and fire-extinguishing material. In addition to Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, France and Spain were also prepared to help.
José Manuel Barroso has expressed his condolences to the families of victims and to the authorities, reaffirming European solidarity with Israel. In a press release, Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Response, assures that the MIC, which coordinates support, will continue to do so “in the crucial hours and days ahead”. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism comprises 27 EU member states, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. (A.N./transl.jl)