Von der Leyen: Mediterranean countries can become pioneers in the fight against climate change

“Time is running out. “It is urgent that we now move forward in the fight against climate change.” Ursula von der Leyen in an exclusive interview given to APE-MPE, on the occasion of the EuroMed9 Summit held in Athens and the Declaration adopted by the leaders of the countries that participated in the Summit.

Speaking to ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ, the President of the European Commission emphasizes that the nine countries of the Mediterranean South can become pioneers in the fight against climate change.

Commenting positively on the initiative of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to convene the Summit “at the right time”, as she characteristically says, Ms. von der Layen points out that “no country can respond to climate change on its own, but we need the whole EU”. He also recalled that all countries have signed the Paris Agreement to reduce global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius, noting that while the US has already taken steps to achieve the goals, China should take short-term action. measures to ensure that it achieves these goals.

The President of the Commission describes Kyriakos Mitsotakis as “active and ambitious” on the fight against climate change and welcomes, on the one hand, the recent reforms in the Civil Protection to deal with climate change, on the other hand, emphasizes that almost 40% of the total funds that Greece will receive from the NextGeneration Fund (EU) will be directed to “green” projects. “This shows a clear commitment of the Greek Prime Minister and his government to really tackle climate change,” he said.

Regarding the pandemic, the President of the Commission warns that “we have not escaped even and that is why we must remain vigilant”. That’s why due to the Delta mutation invites those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so, ensuring that there is a sufficient number of vaccines for all EU countries and their citizens.