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Jan 21 2022

Greece and NSPA strengthen cooperation to ensure effective firefighting services for the next years

LUXEMBOURG - On 21 January 2022, Mr. Christos Stylianides, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of the Hellenic Republic, visited the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). He met with NSPA General Manager and senior staff to discuss active cooperation, shared capabilities and further solutions to ensure an effective provision of firefighting services in the coming years.

The cooperation between NSPA and Greece in the firefighting domain dates back to 2011. Since then, NSPA has been supporting the Hellenic Fire Brigade with substantial vertical aerial support. In 2012, the Agency put in place a Helicopter Wet Lease Support to ensure the availability and deployment of heavy and medium size helicopters with dedicated pilots, crewmembers and mechanics to assist the Fire Department. The current contract covers the five-year period of 2019-2023.

Current cooperation and future opportunities for the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection were discussed during the meeting. NSPA presented the Greek delegation new capabilities and solutions available. In addition, new agreements were discussed in the context of early preparation for the next firefighting season in 2022, as well as in terms of future engagement.

We are moving forward, strengthening our cooperation to further shield Greece in the field of firefighting. In fact, this is a symbolic occasion, as this year marks the 70th anniversary of Greece's accession to NATO. We have had an excellent meeting today and I would like to convey my strong commitment to enhance Greece's cooperation with NSPA.

stated Minister  Stylianides.

Mr. Christos Stylianides, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of the Hellenic Republic, and, Ms. Stacy A. Cummings

We thank Greece's trust in NSPA for such an important matter. Wildfires have unfortunately become a regular recurrence in Greece and NSPA has played a key role supporting the Hellenic Fire Brigade for more than a decade. We are committed in our support to help protect the people of Greece, its natural resources and its historical sites

assured Ms. Stacy A. Cummings.

The Minister was accompanied by a delegation composed by senior members of the Ministry, the Permanent Representative of Greece to NATO H.E. Mr Spiros Lambridis and the Greek Ambassador in Luxembourg, H.E. Mr Angelos Ypsilantis.