The Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management, Nikos Hardalias, had a meeting today with the former Commissioner of the European Union in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianidis, at the Faros building of the Civil Protection.
Christos Stylianidis was guided by the Deputy Minister to the new facilities and was informed about the process of complete restructuring of the Civil Protection that is underway, with the creation of new, state-of-the-art structures, as well as the utilization of technological tools and cutting-edge means.
He was particularly impressed by the new National Data Analysis Center, which now incorporates the Center for Coronavirus Tracing and their close contacts, while emphasizing the contribution of Civil Protection to the management of the pandemic. Nikos Hardalias, for his part, warmly thanked him for their cooperation during the performance of his duties in the EU and noted that his contribution to the consolidation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism as a mechanism of security, practical solidarity and mutual assistance between the states- members was invaluable.
In addition, the former Commissioner toured the new National Coordination Center for Business and Crisis Management, while also visiting the Civil Protection facility in Avlona, Attica, which houses part of the European Common Reserve for vital medical supplies to meet the needs of EU Member States. related to pandemic management (RescEU stockpiling). Greece was one of the first countries to participate in this EU program, while it has already received 100% of its reserve. Mr. Stylianidis was accompanied during his visit by the Director of International Relations of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, Lieutenant General Spyros Georgiou.
It is recalled that Christos Stylianidis was the inspirer of the creation of RescEU, the common European reserve of means and equipment for dealing with natural disasters, after the catastrophic fires in Portugal in 2017, when he took the initiative to strengthen the European Policy Mechanism.
It is noted that Mr. Stylianidis served as European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management from November 2014 to December 2019. During this time, he was called to manage a number of important crises, and was also responsible for coordinating the response to the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone. and Liberia
