{"id":22949,"date":"2026-10-05T14:13:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:13:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/05\/european-defence-funds-cannot-come-without-conditions-greek-city-times\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:13:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:13:39","slug":"european-defence-funds-cannot-come-without-conditions-greek-city-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/05\/european-defence-funds-cannot-come-without-conditions-greek-city-times\/","title":{"rendered":"European defence funds cannot come without conditions \u2013 Greek City Times"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has delivered a clear warning over Turkey\u2019s potential participation in European defence programmes, insisting that access to EU-funded security initiatives cannot come at the expense of the security interests of member states.<\/h3>\n
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Mitsotakis Turkey SAFE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking after meeting Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da at the Maximos Mansion in Athens on Monday, Mitsotakis said countries seeking access to programmes such as the European SAFE defence initiative<\/strong> must first respect the security concerns of EU member states.<\/p>\n

\u201cParticipation in programmes supported by European funds cannot be unconditional,\u201d Mitsotakis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo join SAFE or corresponding European arrangements, one must first respect the security interests of the member states without asterisks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The remarks come as Turkey seeks greater involvement in European defence cooperation and amid continuing debate over Ankara\u2019s potential participation in SAFE.<\/p>\n

Greece has repeatedly argued that any agreement involving a third country must safeguard the security interests of EU member states. Mitsotakis has previously said that the SAFE framework contains conditions that can prevent Turkey from participating unless the necessary agreements and safeguards are in place.<\/p>\n

Mitsotakis calls for European flexibility<\/h3>\n

The Greek prime minister also called for greater flexibility in European fiscal rules, particularly as governments face pressure from higher energy-related costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need a well-considered European flexibility so that states can support households and businesses by taking advantage of the additional fiscal space,\u201d Mitsotakis said.<\/p>\n

He said Greece had already raised the issue with the European Commission and called for an \u201cimmediate and bold European response.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mitsotakis also suggested that additional VAT revenue generated by energy-driven inflation could potentially be used for temporary and targeted support measures without undermining Greece\u2019s fiscal stability.<\/p>\n

However, he stressed that fiscal discipline remains non-negotiable.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a full sense that there is a global crisis in the bond market right now,\u201d he said, adding that Greece would not jeopardise the restoration of confidence in its public finances.<\/p>\n

Greece and Lithuania align ahead of 2027 EU Presidency<\/h3>\n

The meeting with Naus\u0117da also focused on Greece\u2019s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2027.<\/p>\n

Mitsotakis said Greece and Lithuania were aligned on many of the EU\u2019s key priorities and described the two countries\u2019 close relationship within the European Council as an advantage.<\/p>\n

Greece has already begun preparations for its 2027 presidency, which Athens views as an opportunity to advance priorities including European competitiveness, security and strategic autonomy.<\/p>\n

Additional support for Greek fishermen<\/h3>\n

Mitsotakis also addressed pressure facing Greek fishermen, saying the government was examining additional financial support.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will stand alongside society and all the groups that are being tested,\u201d he said, adding that the government was working on ways to provide fishermen with additional assistance.<\/p>\n

He cautioned, however, that the government\u2019s financial options remain limited.<\/p>\n

The comments come as Greece prepares for a particularly significant period in European security policy, with defence spending, European defence funding and the role of third countries such as Turkey increasingly at the centre of EU discussions.<\/p>\n

With Athens continuing to press for safeguards over Turkey\u2019s access to European defence programmes, Mitsotakis made clear that Greece wants European security funding to come with conditions designed to protect the interests of EU member states.<\/p>\n