Christos Stylianides, former EU Commissioner from Cyprus, to take over climate crisis and civil protection ministry

A former European Commissioner of Cyprus, Christos Stylianides, is to take over leadership of the new Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry, set up to manage crises and natural disasters, based on a decision by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, government spokesperson Yiannis Economou announced on Monday.

The position of deputy civil protection minister will be filled by former Hellenic Air Force General Staff chief Evangelos Tournas.

Stylianides served as European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management in the Juncker Commission between 2014 and 2019.

“I accepted the position of Minister at the Ministry of Civil Protection with full awareness of the challenges and expectations,” Christos Stylianidis said on Monday after the announcement of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ decision that he take over the newly established Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.

Specifically, Stylianidis stated: “I thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for the honour of the proposal to take over as minister in the newly established Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. I accepted it with full awareness of the challenges and expectations. The consequences of climate change have overtaken us and we must accelerate major changes without delay. Prevention and preparedness for natural disasters are the most effective weapon we have.”

On his part, Deputy Minister Evangelos Tournas stated: “The assigning to me of the position of Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is a personal honour and a collective wager. Because we have before us the strengthening of the Fire Brigade. With emphasis on a more complete preparation and the aim the maximum prevention to deal with the phenomena in the difficult conditions of our time. A challenge in which no one is surplus. I thank the Prime Minister for the honour and the trust.”