21/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - EU helps Cyprus fight forest fires. European solidarity is being organised through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This will help the Cypriot authorities put a stop to the forest fires that began on Sunday 19 June in the Evrychou region. The day after the fires broke out, France and Italy offered a total of four aeroplanes: two Canadair and one French plane in charge of ensuring coordination and an Italian Canadair that is expected to arrive on Tuesday 21 June, explained the European Commission. These resources have been made available by these two member states in response to a request for assistance made by the Cypriot authorities. They focus on a water bombing aircraft and 80 t of fire retardant materials. The European Response and Coordination Centre at the Commission is following the situation closely and ensuring that offers of assistance match what is actually needed in Cyprus. (AN)