Skopje, 9 August 2024 (MIA) – Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski paid Friday a working visit to the department of the Protection and Rescue Directorate in charge of the firefighting aircrafts.

Meeting with some of the pilots and crew, Toshkovski recognized their courage and commitment in the firefighting efforts, the Interior Ministry said. At the same time, said the press release, the Minister expressed regret over their working conditions and the lack of staff in the department and low pays. 

He also met with the aircraft crew from Cyprus and Germany, dispatched to the country to extinguish fires through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

“These people, some of whom came back from retirement, together with the Interior Ministry’s aviation units and the Army’s WING department, are the heroes who have been battling the blazes gripping our homeland,” Toshkovski said. 

He said he thanked them all the while sharing views on the reforms of the crisis management system. “We agreed that it is necessary to reform the system and they will stay here until it is needed in order to save our forests and natural beauties,” stated the Minister.

The Interior Ministry, he noted, with its capacities will keep on participating in the firefighting efforts and in apprehending arsonists. 

Photo: MoI