Photo by David Kristianto on Unsplash
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is travelling to Slovenia this week where she will express her solidarity and witness the destruction caused by the floods that hit the country in the past days.
She will also discuss the ways in which the EU can support reconstruction and prevention efforts. The President will be accompanied by Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.
The President will meet the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob. Together, they will travel to the areas most damaged by the floods. President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Golob will hold a press conference.
Later in the day, back in Ljubljana, the President will address the extraordinary plenary session of the National Assembly of Slovenia.
On Sunday, both Slovenia and Cyprus activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism due to the floods and wildfires that are affecting these countries.
In response to Slovenia’s request for assistance to deal with flood damage, France is sending two excavators with engineering units, and Germany will be sending two prefabricated bridges, two excavators and respective personnel.
The EU’s Copernicus satellite mapping has so far produced several maps of the affected areas and a Liaison Officer from the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is already on site.
According to the Slovenian authorities, this is the worst flood situation recorded in the country in recent history. Casualties have been confirmed, and thousands had to leave their homes to escape the floods, while severe weather conditions are persisting and rivers are overflowing across the country.
Following a request submitted by Cyprus to help the country fight devastating fires on the island, the EU is mobilising two Canadair firefighting airplanes from the EU’s Civil Protection Pool stationed in Greece. Greece is also sending 20 tonnes of liquid retardant via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The EU stands ready to mobilise further help both countries.
Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, said “In the wake of devastating floods in Slovenia and relentless wildfires in Cyprus, the EU is working around the clock to channel emergency assistance. I thank Germany and France for their quick response and call on the entire European civil protection community to respond to this overwhelming disaster affecting the country.”
“We also stand ready to mobilise the full range of EU recovery and support tools. I also wish to thank Greece for its immediate emergency assistance to wildfires in Cyprus. This is EU solidarity at its best.”
