Wildfire-fighting mission in Albania is successfully concluded; Minister Peleshi thanked the EU, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic for their support

Published: Friday, 27 August 2021 13:05

 

At the end of the fire fighting operations in Albania, Defence Minister Niko Peleshi thanked the Netherlands for the assistance provided to our country in this difficult situation.
The support of the Netherlands Kingdom and the Czech Republic through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has resulted to be essential in coping with the fire situation in our country during August.
In the event organized in the military area of the International Airport "Mother Teresa", Defence Minister Niko Peleshi thanked the EU Ambassador, Luigi Soreca, as well as the entire Dutch team for the assistance provided and for successfully accomplishing these operations.

“Now it is time to thank the European delegation, the Ambassador personally because through the EU bodies we made it possible to ensure solidarity support in a very short period of time from two EU member states, friendly countries like the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, so I would also like to thank the Ambassador of the Netherlands and the representatives of the Czech Embassy. We are deeply touched by their solidarity in the critical moment of this extremely hot season. All institutions at a local and central level, as well as the friendly partner countries, got together to face the situation with success.", - said Peleshi.

The Ambassador of the European Union in Albania, Luigi Soreca thanked the Dutch and Czech teams for their assistance, and their quite positive contribution given to protect the environment and human lives. He also thanked the Albanian state for its solidarity by receiving the first 120 Afghan evacuees in Albania.

“This is what we call the European team that makes every effort to help all close partners. As far as we assumed even from the Defence Minster, the help given by these teams has been essential with forest wildfires during this difficult summer. Once again the EU and European countries have witnessed their solidarity with Albania. Now we are at Rinas Airport, where a few hours ago the first 120 Afghan refugees landed, and I would also like to congratulate Albania for their solidarity." , - said Soreca.



Present at this event was even the Dutch Ambassador to Albania, Reinout Vos, who also thanked the European Union for the quick decision they took to intervene, as well as the Albanian troops for their work in the fight against fires and their very good cooperation.
Since August 6, the Dutch and Czech helicopters have joined the Armed Forces and other local authorities to cope with the wildfires situation.