During her State of the European Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, 10 September, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation of a new European firefighting hub based in Cyprus, “which could also support our regional neighbours”.
Mrs von der Leyen reminded [her audience] that, this summer, more than one million hectares of forest burned (see EUROPE 13694/11), necessitating the mobilisation of at least “760 brave Europeans [who] were sent to all corners of Europe”.
Aware of “the difference [that its] Civil Protection Mechanism can make”, the European Commission thus intends to step up its efforts. A diplomatic source close to the matter considers the creation of this hub to be an opportunity to improve existing coordination.
Cyprus will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU during the first half of 2026. (Original version in French by Florent Servia)