The chosen team of firefighters, Ursula von der Leyen clarified in her sixth State of the EU address, will analyse "all aspects of preparedness and prevention" and present proposals, "including for a future European firefighting fleet."

Alongside the issue of forest fires - which, she said, destroyed 660,000 hectares this year and caused the loss of about 12 million tons of crops - the leader of the EU executive addressed the problem of global warming and the heat waves that plagued Europe this summer.

"These were the hottest summer months on record, but probably the coolest in years to come," she recalled, highlighting that "Europe is warming at twice the global rate."

In this regard, he called for increased preparedness, announcing “a new framework for climate resilience,” to be presented in October.

Ursula von der Leyen also said that a plan for heat waves and a water initiative will be presented soon.