With a moving tribute to the Greek forest commandos of EMODE, Ursula von der Leyen concluded the section of her annual State of the European Union speech dedicated to the climate crisis and wildfires.

The Commission President recalled that this summer, over 10 million stremmas (1 million hectares) of forests and crops across Europe burned, stressing that climate change is making conditions harder and more dangerous every year. “We must drastically step up our efforts in resilience and adaptation,” she said, announcing the creation of a European firefighting hub headquartered in Cyprus.

Within this context, von der Leyen wished to honor the 760 European firefighters and crews who were on the front lines this year, in the toughest battles across the continent, as part of the EU’s mutual assistance missions. She gave special mention, however, to the deployment of 20 Greek forest commandos to Spain.

“When the wildfires broke out in the Asturias region, Spain asked for help. Greece responded. The flames were so huge that the smoke was visible from space. For five days, the Greeks stood alongside their Spanish colleagues. As the fire came dangerously close to the village of Genestoso, they fought day and night. And in the end, together, they saved the village,” she emphasized.

The Commission President even invited Lieutenant Nikolaos Paisios, head of the Greek mission, to the European Parliament, saying:

“Your courage is a source of inspiration for all of us. For your endurance, dedication, and leadership, I thank you – and your heroic team.”

Her words were met with a standing ovation in the chamber.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also thanked the Commission President in a statement, noting:

“Their bravery reflects the spirit of European solidarity at its best – united we protect, united we prevail.”