This summer in Greece, in particular Halkidiki and Lakonia, fires destroyed thousands of hectares of forest, dozens of homes as well as animals and crops. The increase in the number of fires and their magnitude - a three-fold increase over last year - is mainly attributable to criminal acts designed to have the areas declassified as forest and to significant failings in terms of preventive measures and fire-fighting resources.

Will the Commission call on the Member States to desist from taking measures to commercialise, declassify and privatise forests? Is it making a financial contribution to measures concerning the recording of damages, compensation and relief for the victims and to the complete reafforestation of the areas burned down? Will it support measures to establish uniform forest protection and fire-fighting mechanisms and to cover the shortages of fire-fighting resources and personnel?