[PIO] Dispatch of two aircraft from the Republic of Cyprus to Greece to respond to forest fires

The Civil Defence Force announces that following the decision of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mr. Peter Xenophontos, assistance is being sent to Greece through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to deal with the forest fires in the Alexandroupolis area.

The assistance consists of two Air Tractor planes of the Forestry Department with four crew members and five ground support personnel.

The assistance consists of two Air Tractor aircraft of the Forestry Department with four crew members and five ground support personnel. They will depart later today, around noon, from Paphos airport to Alexandroupolis airport, where they will be briefed and receive details of their mission. The flight schedule includes a stopover at Rhodes airport for refuelling.

These aircraft have joined rescEU from mid-June 2023, under which member states are funded to strengthen their disaster response assets with the commitment to use these assets for the benefit of other member states when the need arises and this is their second mission. The Republic of Cyprus has over time responded to provide assistance to Greece and other neighbouring countries either by making use of provisions of intergovernmental agreements or within the framework of the Civil Protection Mechanism.

(AF/SX)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source

[/P]