Four Cypriot MEPs launched an attack against the European Union for its perceived inaction during July’s wildfire in Limassol which killed two people and burned hundreds of homes.
Giorgos Georgiou, Michalis Hadjipantela, Geadis Geadi and Fidias Panayiotou accused the EU of failing to provide timely and effective support during the July wildfire that killed two people and destroyed over 120 square kilometres of land, homes and crops.
The debate addressed Europe’s record-breaking fire season, with over one million hectares burned – an area larger than Cyprus and four times the 20-year average.
Four Cypriot representatives demand improved fire prevention measures
AKEL MEP Georgiou stated that Cyprus holds “the negative record of the decade, recording the largest destruction as a percentage of total territory.” He criticised the Cypriot government for avoiding accountability, noting “not even resignations of responsible ministers were seen.”
“As the left, since 2016 we have persistently demanded the immediate creation of a European aerial firefighting base, for the benefit of both the Republic of Cyprus and regional countries. You ignore us demonstratively,” Georgiou said, calling for funding to be redirected from armaments to public protection.
DISY MEP Hadjipantela said that “the European Union cannot consider it has done its duty with a few words of sympathy. We don’t need sympathy. We need actions.” He warned that if similar situations recur “without capability and response plan, the responsibility will weigh on you personally.”
Parliament session highlights record-breaking fire damage across Europe
Hadjipantela confirmed Cyprus remains eligible to apply to the European Commission’s Solidarity Fund for fire compensation within 12 weeks of the incidents. “We officially informed the government about this matter,” he stated.
ELAM MEP Geadi acknowledged support from Italy and Israel, thanking colleague Nicola Procaccini for assistance through the Italian government and expressing gratitude to Israel for sending firefighting aircraft.
Independent MEP Panayiotou stated Cyprus received “more help from third countries – Georgia, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon – instead of European Union countries.” He added: “As Cypriots we feel the EU has abandoned us.”
The 2025 fire season is a record year since statistics began in 2006, with Spain, Cyprus, Germany and Slovakia already exceeding their annual records in 20 years of recorded data. At least eight people died across affected regions.
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