23rd Jul 2024
Given the situation in the vicinity of the common border, the Bulgarian Interior Minister proposed assistance to the Greek colleagues
On the initiative of the Minister of Interior Kalin Stoyanov, today a video call was held with the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of Greece, Vasilis Kikilias. The subject was the wildfire on Greek territory that has been burning in the vicinity to the border with Bulgaria in a very rough and difficult to access area. The two Ministers discussed the actual situation in the neighbouring countries underlying the existing excellent collaboration.
“Last night the fire did not move on towards Bulgarian territory. A large number of the forces and the means that have been used to fight the ablaze in the region of Yambol for seven consecutive days have been relocated at the border where the fire is likely to move on to our territory”, said Minister Stoyanov. Aerial equipment will also be sent there today. Given the situation, the Bulgarian Interior Minister proposed assistance to the Greek colleagues with the deployment of forces to be involved in the extinguishing of the fires on their territory.
Minister Vasilis Kikilias expressed gratitude to Bulgaria on behalf of Greece for the existing good operational cooperation maintained by the firefighting services of both countries. “The situation has an impact on the whole Balkan region. Thank you for the assistance the MoI sent to Greece last year and this year, as well”, he said. The team working on the terrain cannot reach the area where the fire has been developing, but at this stage, hopefully, the forecast is for rain.