The European Parliament called, in a resolution on September 16 2009, for a rapid release of EU aid funds to help victims of the summer 2009 devastating forest fires in southern Europe, especially in Greece.

MEPs also want more cross-border European action in the fight against such disasters.

They criticised some member states for not having done enough to prevent the fires, the European Parliament said in a statement.

Adopting a resolution with 647 votes in favour, 31 against and 22 abstentions, the European Parliament called on the European Commission (EC) to help in the reforesting and rebuilding of areas which suffered heavy damage.

The EC should also free funds from the current EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) "in the most flexible manner possible and without delay for assisting the victims," the European Parliament resolution said.

In addition to criticising some EU countries for not having taken more efficient prevention measures, the European Parliament also condemned the practice of legalising illegal construction in protected and unauthorised areas.  

The European Parliament called for a wider European strategy to combat natural disasters, including compulsory measures for risk prevention.
Particular attention should be paid to island and outermost regions with low geographic density in this strategy. MEPs also said that an effective European force should be created that can react immediately in the event of emergencies.

However, the EP also emphasised the individual responsibility of member states for civil protection and disaster control and their primary responsibility for preventing and extinguishing fires. It called for penal sanctions against arsonists in forest fires.