A call to Europe! Let's fight forest fires together

Following large-scale fires in Crete and the Peloponnese, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called on the European Union to establish a permanent and robust European Forest Fire Response Force.

While acknowledging the importance of the existing rescEU mechanism, Mitsotakis emphasized that this structure remains insufficient due to its limited capacity, which relies on seasonal and voluntary contributions.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis proposed the creation of a centralized European air fleet where firefighting aircraft and helicopters would be kept on standby throughout the year, as well as the establishment of a regional response network in Southern Europe—centered in cities such as Athens, Rome, or Madrid—supported by logistics, command, and training bases. He further stated that the current capacity of approximately 16 aircraft should be at least doubled to create a stronger defensive line against the increasing threat of fires linked to the climate crisis.

Mitsotakis demanded a mechanism directly financed by the EU budget, with mandatory contributions from member states, rather than relying on voluntary contributions. Another notable element of his call was the emphasis on strengthening regional solidarity by formally and permanently including neighboring countries at high risk of fire, such as Turkey, in the process.

The current rescEU air fleet consists of approximately 16 aircraft in total (amphibious planes and heavy-lift helicopters) provided by Spain, Italy, France, Croatia, Portugal, Greece, and Sweden. Although this capacity is deployed according to regional needs during fire seasons, Mitsotakis's proposal aims to transform this system into a permanent, centrally commanded, and larger fleet, enabling Europe to establish a strong and sustainable defensive line against fire risks associated with the climate crisis.