Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasised the need for Europe to take greater responsibility in its geopolitical affairs, particularly in defence, as he arrived for the informal European Council meeting on Monday.
Speaking about the shifting global dynamics, Mitsotakis reiterated the necessity for Europe to gain more autonomy in managing its defence issues, urging member states to prioritise common European defence.
“I’ve long advocated for Europe to bolster its own defence capabilities,” Mitsotakis stated. “Today, I published an article in a major European outlet, where I presented Greece’s proposals on improving how we allocate resources for our shared defence.” The Prime Minister specifically called for greater flexibility in the fiscal rules to support countries spending over 2% of their GDP on defence without facing penalties.
Mitsotakis also proposed the establishment of a €100 billion European defence fund, drawing inspiration from the Recovery Fund, to finance joint projects like a European anti-missile shield. “Europe is at a critical juncture,” Mitsotakis remarked. “Now is the time to move beyond discussions and take concrete action in strengthening our collective defence.”
Mitsotakis Addresses Santorini’s Seismic Activity: Residents Urged to Stay Calm
While in Brussels, Mitsotakis also addressed the recent seismic activity affecting Santorini, urging residents to remain calm and follow Civil Protection instructions. “We are dealing with an intense geological phenomenon,” the Prime Minister stated. “I’ve asked the relevant ministry to provide a comprehensive, scientific presentation of the data so that everyone can stay well-informed about the situation.” His remarks come as local authorities continue to monitor the ongoing seismic events in the region.