The 50th Meeting of Directors-General of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism took place in Stockholm on 15-16 May, and was attended by the Ukrainian delegation headed by Serhii Kruk, Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

On behalf of the Ukrainian rescuers, he thanked the European community for its support, which enabled Ukraine to officially join the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in April this year.

"We are strong when we are united. And we become stronger with the help of the entire European community and the family of rescuers around the world. Ukraine's accession to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism means integration into the European security space. We are open to cooperation. I thank you for your support!" said Serhii Kruk.

"I am pleased to welcome Serhii Kruk, Head of the State Emergency Service, among the Directors-General of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism Member States and participating States. I am pleased to hear from my colleagues about our intention to continue to provide unwavering support to Ukraine, which belongs to the European family," said Maciej Popowski, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).

During the meeting, the participants discussed strengthening Europe's resilience and adapting the Mechanism to respond to today's emergencies, as well as preparations for the 2023 wildfires.

Background

The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism is the world's largest system of coordinated international disaster assistance. It comprises EU countries and 9 member states (Norway, Iceland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine).