Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis converses by telephone with Russian Minister of Transport Vitaly Saveliev on additional Russian assistance in tackling forest fires (Athens, 09.08.2021)

Following the telephone conversation between the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis communicated earlier today with the Russian Minister of Transport Vitaly Saveliev, regarding the provision of additional aerial firefighting assistance.

Mr. Varvitsiotis thanked Mr. Saveliev for Russia’s immediate and practical support during these difficult times our country is going through and specified the request made by the Greek side for two Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft and two Mil Mi-8 helicopters, which will further assist in tackling forest fires. Mr. Saveliev extended to the Alternate Minister his sincere sympathy to Greece.

The telephone conversation between the two ministers took place in their capacity as Co-Chairs of the Greek-Russian Joint Interministerial Committee.