The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, presented the first set of 21 actions under the Mediterranean Pact, marking the transition from planning to the implementation of specific initiatives, including the European Firefighting Hub based in Paphos, Cyprus. According to the Commissioner, the Hub is expected to be inaugurated within the coming weeks and will be operational during the 2026 summer fire season, even if not at full capacity.
The Spring 2026 Action Plan, unveiled on Friday to EU member states and Southern Mediterranean partner countries, serves as the primary tool for advancing the Pact. The Pact has been shaped through extensive and participatory consultations with governments, civil society, youth, businesses, and the research community across the Mediterranean.
Disaster preparedness
According to the EU Commission, the Firefighting Hub initiative falls under the Pact’s third pillar, focusing on security and preparedness, and is highlighted by the Commission as a prime example of the Pact’s "practical approach." Besides Cyprus, the Hub will involve EU member states Spain, France, and Lithuania, as well as Southern Mediterranean countries Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, as announced in Brussels on Friday.
"We are launching a firefighting hub in Cyprus, a regional center to enhance disaster preparedness and response," stated Commissioner Šuica, emphasizing that "for the first time, it will also provide support to Southern Mediterranean countries."
Responding to a question from CNA regarding the timeline and operation of the project, the Commissioner clarified that the delay in the official inauguration is a technical scheduling issue related to the informal Summit. "The only reason it won’t be inaugurated next week is purely logistical" Šuica said. She added that the official ceremony should be expected in about four weeks, while stressing the project’s significance, calling it "truly important for the Mediterranean and the region’s security."
Phased out efforts
Special emphasis was placed on the Hub’s operational readiness ahead of the summer season. The Commissioner for the Mediterranean underscored the urgency of rapid activation due to past experiences. She said that "last summer, we faced major wildfire challenges in the Middle East, North Africa, and Cyprus itself, and we had to act immediately." For this reason, implementation is beginning immediately, even in a preliminary form.
Regarding operational readiness, a European source clarified to CNA that the Hub will start gradually, with the potential for deployment as early as this summer. This approach will not rely on immediate full-scale deployment but on a phased enhancement of capabilities. According to CNA sources, the initial phase includes four leased firefighting aircraft in Paphos, with funding for three of them already secured.
In the same context, it was emphasized that the project is not limited to procuring equipment but represents a broader cooperation system. "We are not just buying aircraft and placing them in Cyprus," but rather an initiative that combines "training, knowledge exchange, data, and operational readiness" it was noted. The participating member states will also contribute human resources. The gradual development of both material and human resources will be based on emerging needs and the contributions of member states.
CNA