Thank you for the warm welcome and the engaging meeting with the 43rd Air Forces Group and the Canadair simulator demonstration. These aircraft are a source of pride and save lives.

Today, we remember those who lost their lives in last years Valencia floods. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and the communities affected by the recent power outage in April. These events highlight the risks our societies face today.

The European Union stood in solidarity with Spain.

I pay tribute to the firefighter who lost his life in Barcelona while performing his duty. Firefighters do remarkable work, often at great personal risk. I express my deepest gratitude to them.

I thank Spain for consistently showing solidarity and playing an active role in our European Civil Protection Mechanism. In recent months, Spain received seven patients after a nightclub fire in North Macedonia. You evacuated more than thirty patients from Gaza. Last year, you responded to five wildfire emergencies by deploying rescEU Canadair airplanes to Portugal and Bulgaria. You also sent firefighting teams to Guatemala and Bolivia.

This is European solidarity in action.

I am here at the start of the summer season — with expected heatwaves and the dangers they pose — to show our commitment to being prepared together. Wildfires remain one of Europes biggest disaster risks. Last year, the destruction of the worlds forests reached a record high, largely due to the increase in fires. They destroyed an area the size of Italy.

These fires are becoming more intense and spreading into new regions as the wildfire season lengthens every year. This is a direct threat to our societies, so we must be prepared. And that is precisely what we are doing in the EU.

Just a few months ago, we launched our new Preparedness Strategy. It is concrete, operational, and it will make us safer, including against wildfires. We are looking at all scenarios and involving all institutions and citizens. Spain will be an important part of this new Strategy because in many areas, you are on the frontlines of the battle against wildfires and floods.

The EU is stepping up its support to all our Member States, including Spain. That is why our Union Civil Protection Mechanism pays special attention to the growing threat of wildfires.

In the EU, we take wildfires extremely seriously, and we are doing more to prepare for them. I am proud to announce today our measures to respond quickly and decisively to this threat.

First, this summer almost 650 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically prepositioned across high-risk areas in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. This will get help to local fire brigades fast when fires break out. Thank you to Spain for hosting these teams.

Second, EU Member States have pooled 22 firefighting planes and 4 helicopters through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. They are stationed in 10 countries, including Spain, ready to help respond to requests for assistance quickly. This year, Spain will host two rescEU Canadair Aircraft. Thank you for that.

Third, a dedicated Wildfire Support Team will be established at the EUs Emergency Response Coordination Centre during the wildfire season to ensure fast and efficient coordination and response.

We are also strengthening our overall firefighting capabilities. The EU will fund twelve new Canadair aircraft and five helicopters, stationed across different Member States. Spain will host two of these Canadairs. The first helicopter will be ready in 2026 and the first aircraft by early 2028.

We also need to sharpen our understanding of how wildfires start, spread, and behave. Spain is a frontrunner in this field, so we want to work with you to share that know-how across our Civil Protection Mechanism. These efforts are part of a more integrated wildfire risk management approach at the EU-level.

The EU is taking a 360-degree approach to our preparedness. We are building a new culture of preparedness across our Continent. This includes strengthening our prevention, risk management, long-term resilience, and effective communication.

Working together, Spain and the EU will be stronger, safer, and better prepared.