Chr. Stylianidis: The concept of European solidarity in major natural disasters acquires its true value

The concept of European solidarity of member states and citizens in major natural disasters, where human losses and property are at stake, is “confronted” with the ultimate good of life and “there acquires its true value”, stressed the Minister of Climate Crisis and Policy Protection Christos Stylianidis, in his position at the Thessaloniki Summit 2021.

“In my experience, worldwide, no one can deal with these terrible effects of the climate crisis on their own. We live it every year, even in the US, the superpower, with so many technological means. I have experienced it so many times as a Commissioner. “How many times have I had a phone call late at night, in the middle of the night, from Washington to send help, either through Copernicus or through our other systems. :

“Do you understand, because I insist, that Greece alone, although it has an excellent human resource in civil protection and other similar areas, can not deal with these large mega-fires, or floods of storms that reach two hundred millimeters in the center of Athens, with only the existing material, personnel and technological potential, at the national level, which is why we ended up creating RescEU, an “extension of the European mechanism to demonstrate this solidarity in practice and as soon as possible”.

Mr. Stylianidis underlined that the summer fires “confirmed the importance and value” of RescEU, but at the same time its “some shortcomings”, mainly in terms of delays in the transfer of forces and means of forest firefighting from other European countries, due to the long distance from our country. Mr. Stylianidis pointed out that during his last visit to Brussels, the formation of a pilot program “for the exchange of firefighting forces, in the summer for the European south and in the winter for the European north” was discussed with the competent commissioner, which was “decided to start.” from Greece “and added:

“We will try to implement this next summer in Greece, we are preparing for it to be very successful and its importance is that those who came and helped us in the summer may come at regular intervals next summer, but to be here “And to have them at the critical moment next to us, not to be transported when we need them most. We act more effectively at the critical moment.”

He also noted that on November 22-23, a workshop will be held by the ministry, in the presence of the European Commissioner, to gain experience from the summer fires in order to further improve the system.

Referring to the Glasgow summit and discussions on climate change, Mr Stylianidis described the absence of Russia and China as “traumatic for all”, but noted as a success the agreement with Brazil on forests and the positive attitude of others. countries in the direction of achieving “climate neutrality”. At the same time, he stressed that it should not be underestimated, that it is achieved, even if there is a lack of political will on the part of some countries to keep pace, at the same speed, with other countries that are at the forefront of this effort.

“I believe that it is a process that will have a back and forth, but as the Prime Minister rightly said in his speech, in order to be able to overcome the energy crisis and to be able to give the new generations what they deserve, we must, with prudence. to move, as soon as possible, to renewable energy sources “said Mr. Stylianidis and continued:” It is very important for Greece, we have the sun, the wind, the sea, serious advantages, which lead us in this direction ” .

In particular, the minister pointed out that in the effort to address the challenges of climate change “the citizen needs to be a protagonist”, through awareness, education and volunteering. He stated that the ministry is proceeding with actions and programs, accessible and understandable even at younger ages.

“Personally, the issue of volunteering is a bet for me, because I have experienced it in Austria and Germany and I do not accept that my country, which has such a tradition in the field of volunteering since ancient times, has around three to four thousand volunteers and “Austria should have two hundred and forty thousand volunteers with a small, smaller population than us” said Mr. Stylianidis and continued:

“There is a field of glorious glory. The Greek wants to be a volunteer, he believes in volunteering, he believes in his own personal contribution for the common good, he is ready to offer, we just have to give him the right platform to manifest, express and have “A specific role, not to have a general and vague role in a time of crisis and not to know what to do. Improvisation is good, we are good in a time of crisis, we improvise, but imagine having a system.”

Finally, the minister underlined that Greece “pioneers” with the creation of a ministry, which takes care of the issues of tackling climate change and civil protection, and that in Glasgow, as he said, attracted the attention of other countries, which were interested in adopting and to adapt to their own reality, corresponding practices and structures.

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ