The most urgent priority is to provide support to the efforts to extinguish the fires

Statement by Stefanos Stefanou, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 21st June 2016, Nicosia

We want to express our sincere condolences to the families of the two young fire fighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. We know that there is no place for any long-winded statements at a time of tragedy, pain and mourning.

However, we would like on behalf of AKEL to convey our position that the government and the state must stand with efficiency and effectiveness on the side of the families of the victims.

The forests of Cyprus have been burning for four days now. The news transmitted is that several fires are raging out of control. Our wish and hope is that it will soon become possible to put the fires under control and extinguish them. Our wish and hope, also, is that we don’t suffer any more victims.

In these critical hours the most urgent priority is to provide support to the efforts underway to extinguish the fires. This is not the time to look for any responsibilities, although responsibilities do exist and will be apportioned at the right time.

As we stated yesterday too in our statement, AKEL has contacted the relevant government authorities and expressed our desire to contribute, according to our possibilities, towards addressing the tragic situation that has evolved.