EU Chief Honors Greek Firefighters for Aid in Spain Forest Fires

Ursula von der Leyen honored Greek firefighters during her State of the Union address. Credit: Ronald Wittek / EPA via AMNA

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to Greek firefighters successful her State of the Union code astatine the European Parliament successful Strasbourg, highlighting the squad that assisted Spain successful battling this summer’s devastating wood fires.

Von der Leyen honored the twenty-member Greek wildfire portion led by Deputy Fire Chief Nikolaos Paisios, who was contiguous successful the chamber. The squad had been deployed to Asturias successful Northern Spain successful August, where they fought alongside Spanish crews for 5 days.

“Their courageousness is an inspiration to america all. For your resilience, dedication, and leadership, I convey you—and your heroic team,” she said, arsenic the Parliament erupted successful applause.

Greek firefighters battling flames time and night

The Commission President reminded the European Parliament that implicit 1 cardinal hectares of wood and farmland were destroyed passim the continent this summer.

She stressed that clime alteration is making conditions progressively unsafe each twelvemonth and announced plans for a European firefighting hub successful Cyprus to boost resilience and cross-border support.

Von der Leyen highlighted Greece’s swift effect to Spain’s telephone for help, noting however Greek firefighters worked time and nighttime to prevention the colony of Genestoso from advancing flames.

European and Greek recognition

Gratitude was extended to the 760 European firefighters and crews who served connected the beforehand lines this year. EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib besides shared a video tribute connected societal media, thanking the Greek firefighters for their work successful Spain.

At today’s #SOTEU, @vonderleyen honoured Lt. Nikolaos Paisios, who led 20 Greek rangers to combat devastating fires successful Asturias, Spain.

For 5 days, they stood broadside by broadside with Spanish crews and saved a village.

True European heroes. Ευχαριστώ, Nikolaos. 🇬🇷🇪🇸🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/1URGV7JTrX

— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) September 10, 2025

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis aboriginal posted his ain connection of thanks, highlighting von der Leyen’s words and the lasting ovation for Deputy Chief Paisios. “Their courageousness reflects European solidarity astatine its best—united we protect, agreed we prevail,” helium said.

Thank you, @vonderleyen, for honoring our brave Greek firefighters who stood by Spain this summer. Their courageousness embodies the tone of European solidarity astatine its champion — agreed we protect, agreed we prevail. pic.twitter.com/7R2KMxduJD

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) September 10, 2025