ATHENS — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday attended a ceremony for the delivery of 20 fire engines donated by the tobacco company Papastratos, held at the Fire Brigade building at Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos".

The prime minister noted that the 20 fire engines offered by Papastratos, which cost 1 million euros in total, can carry up to 600 litres of water and make it possible to battle fires at their source. "I attach great importance to the fact that the Fire Brigade's fleet is equipped with vehicles that can move inside forests," said Mitsotakis, noting that the work of Civil Protection services this year will be doubled and extremely complex. "We can't avoid wildfires, it is something that needs careful planning and a long term action plan. We will limit the wildfires as we did last year" Mitsotakis said.

He also expressed his admiration for the Fire Brigade's aircraft pilots and engineers, stating: "I have full confidence in the ability of the Fire Brigade and faith in your courage. I personally want to reassure you that I will press for the production lines that are out of operation to restart in order to able to renew the fire brigade's fleet of aicraft at a European level".