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EU Ambassador to Belgrade: EU mobilized teams and equipment to help Serbia within 24 hours
🇷🇸 Serbia /Elections & Politics

EU Ambassador to Belgrade: EU mobilized teams and equipment to help Serbia within 24 hours

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The EU mobilized firefighting teams and equipment to Serbia within 24 hours to assist in combating wildfires near Deliblatska peščara.
  • Four "Black Hawk" helicopters and ground teams from Germany and Romania were deployed, alongside an EU liaison officer for coordination.
  • This deployment highlights European solidarity, with Serbia also having previously assisted other European countries with firefighting efforts.

The European Union has demonstrated swift solidarity by mobilizing emergency response teams and equipment to Serbia within 24 hours to aid in combating significant wildfires near Deliblatska peščara. Andreas Fon Bekerat, the EU Ambassador to Belgrade, visited joint Serbian and European firefighting operations, emphasizing the rapid deployment facilitated by the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism.

This is European solidarity in action – practical, immediate, and effective.

— Andreas Fon BekeratHighlighting the swift EU response to the wildfires in Serbia.

Following the activation of the mechanism on Friday, the EU successfully deployed four "Black Hawk" helicopters from its strategic reserve, based in the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia. Additionally, ground firefighting teams from Germany and Romania, along with an EU liaison officer, were dispatched to ensure efficient coordination and delivery of aid. On Monday, 56 firefighters and 21 fire trucks from Germany arrived in Serbia, as announced by the European House.

Ambassador Fon Bekerat stated that the helicopters, ground teams, and personnel were mobilized and deployed in record time to support and strengthen Serbia's national response. "This is European solidarity in action – practical, immediate, and effective," he said, noting that Serbia has also shown solidarity by assisting other countries, with Serbian firefighters having aided Spain and France earlier in the summer.

Serbia is not only receiving solidarity, it has also shown it to others. Earlier this summer, Serbian firefighters came to the aid of Spain and France.

— Andreas Fon BekeratEmphasizing the reciprocal nature of European cooperation in disaster response.

The fires in Deliblatska peščara have engulfed several thousand hectares, threatening wildlife, the environment, and one of Serbia's most significant natural areas. The EU has expressed solidarity with the affected communities and those working tirelessly to protect people and ensure their safety. The Ambassador also expressed hope that the EU could support the reforestation efforts in this valuable area. Serbia joined the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in 2015, allowing it to request assistance from European countries during natural disasters when national capacities are overwhelmed. The EU has provided substantial bilateral support to Serbia's civil protection, totaling approximately 250 million euros since 2014.

We hope that the EU will be able to support the restoration of the forests in this precious area.

— Andreas Fon BekeratExpressing hope for future EU support in environmental recovery.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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