Andreas Kitromilides, head of the Union of Cyprus Communities, emphasized the need for widespread cooperation to combat summer fires, stating that village authorities require adequate staff and financial resources. He refuted the notion that sole responsibility lies with the 286 autonomous communities, asserting their role in vegetation and illegal dump clearing necessitates proper tools and support. While the interior ministry allocated €1.5 million for clearing overgrown areas, Kitromelides highlighted difficulties in finding contractors and the insufficient capacity of community staff. Given that communities manage 80% of Cyprus's agricultural land, including forests and mountains, mandatory clearing with private contractor assistance is crucial. The goal is to complete clearing before the summer season begins in June, with a focus on a 200m zone around residential areas, and further solutions will be discussed with government ministers in mid-June.