European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced the intention to establish a new European firefighting hub based in Cyprus, during her State of the Union address at the European Parliament Plenary in Strasbourg, France.
Referring to the devastating wildfires that struck Europe in the summer of 2025, Von Der Leyen said, “This summer we all saw the pictures of Europe’s forests and villages on fire. More than a million hectares were burned. An area around a third of the size of Belgium. The scale of the damage is enormous. And we know it is not a one off. Climate change is making each summer hotter, harsher, and more dangerous.”
She stressed the urgent need to radically step up Europe’s efforts in climate resilience and adaptation: “This is why we have to radically step up our efforts into climate resilience and adaptation, and nature-based solutions.”
In this context, she announced the creation of the new European firefighting hub in Cyprus, stating: “This is why we will propose to create a new European firefighting hub based in Cyprus, which could also support our regional neighbours.”
Finally, von der Leyen highlighted the importance of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, noting: “We know the difference our Civil Protection Mechanism can make. Over the summer, 760 brave Europeans were sent to all corners of Europe. Literally running towards the flames.”
Present in the hemicycle was Lieutenant Nikolaos Paisios, the leader of the 20 Greek firefighter forest rangers who helped extinguish the fires in the Asturias region of Spain, saving the village of Genestoso, who received the warm applause of MEPs.
(Source: CNA)
