ATHENS, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Greece and Portugal agreed on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation in firefighting, civil protection and disaster response as both countries face growing challenges from climate change.
During talks in Athens, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and visiting Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro pledged to enhance cooperation in wildfire prevention, monitoring and emergency response, the Greek official news agency ANA-MPA reported. They also voiced support for expanding cooperation under the European Union's rescEU mechanism, including the joint procurement of firefighting aircraft.
Southern Europe has been hit by successive heatwaves in recent weeks, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the Mediterranean region. Greece, Portugal and several other countries have faced heightened wildfire risks, prompting emergency measures, evacuations and the deployment of firefighting resources.
Mitsotakis said Greece and Portugal, both frequently affected by wildfires and extreme weather, should strengthen their capacity to prevent and respond to natural disasters through closer coordination and European solidarity.
The two leaders also discussed closer cooperation in defense, trade and investment. Mitsotakis said Europe should strengthen its collective security through higher defense spending, joint defense production and greater operational readiness.
They also exchanged views on migration, the European Union's long-term budget, and support for cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy. ■