The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, sent a message of deep solidarity and sadness to Prime Minister António Costa. Anastasiades conveyed his great sadness about the fires in central Portugal, that have already taken the lives of tens of people and continue to cause death and destruction.

President Anastasiades announced the readiness of Cyprus to send a fire brigade to assist in combating forest fires. Anastasiades praised the bravery shown by Portuguese firefighters who fight fires under extreme conditions.

The Cypriot media gave prominence to the tragedy that mourned Portugal.

The current ambassador of Cyprus in Slovakia, and former ambassador in Lisbon (2004 to 2008), Nearchos Palas, called to express his sadness.

Nearchos Palas is a good friend of Portugal. In his call he suggested that European Union should set up rapid intervention brigades at strategically selected locations in the southern countries most affected by major fires, possibly in the Iberian Peninsula, Italy and Greece, in order to be able to intervene effectively and celerity in cases such as what has now hit Portugal.

A message of solidarity was sent by the Consul General of Cyprus to the Mayor of Pedrógão Grande.