The message that Safe’s European Defense Program “cannot be part of countries that threaten with war members” was sent by the Safe. ” Kyriakos Mitsotakis In his statements with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costaafter the meeting they had earlier at the Maximos Palace.
‘Showing’ to the Turkeythe Greek Prime Minister added “it is up to them to build good relations with Europe but this requires respect for its principles.”
At the same time, Mr. Mitsotakis was in favor of creating a Common European Financial Tool for Common European Defense Investments While the situation in the Middle East was concerned “anxious about the unacceptable violation of Qatar’s sovereignty”, stressing that “any further escalation in Gaza must be avoided”.
As far as the migratorythe Greek Prime Minister – on the occasion of “significant increases in arrivals in Crete after a long period of rest” – stressed that “the EU must provide any support to the frontline states”.
On his side the Antonio Costa congratulated her Greece “For what has been done in the last 10 years.” “It’s impressive how you recovered. Now you have the priority of competitiveness and security. However, nothing can be done without macroeconomic foundations, “the European Council president added.
He emphasized Greece’s “very important geostrategic position” for which he said “is the European and Middle East Bridge” while writing with Mitsotakis’ view that “if we want more effective European defense, common European funding needs.”
Watch video of Mitsotaki-Kosta statements
Mitsotakis statements
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis began his statements, expressing his support “in Poland that defended Europe’s eastern border that does not indulge revisionism. No violation of sovereignty and sovereign rights can be tolerated. ” He also expressed “public support in the US-Europe negotiations for Ukrainian with Ukraine’s participation in observing security guarantees and respect for international law.
After he said, “we support the negotiating efforts for a truce in the Middle East” he expressed his concern “about the unacceptable violation of Qatar’s national sovereignty. Any further escalation in Gaza should be avoided. Greece is helping with humanitarian aid. “
“We discussed the common defense, it is a perspective that Greece is in practice. On the occasion of the recent events in Poland, I have reinstated the proposal for a European financial tool that could fund defense markets of common European interest for anti -missile protection, “Mr Mitsotakis continued.
In fact, the debate on the participation of third countries in this defense initiative said that “it cannot be attended by countries that threaten members of the Union. It is up to them to build good relations with Europe but this requires respect for its principles. “
As for migration. The Greek Prime Minister said that “we had significant increases in arrivals in Crete after a long period of rest. This reassesses the importance of border protection. The EU must provide any support to the frontline states. “
Mr Mitsotakis was also placed on the next EU budget: “We have a positive attitude to the original proposals. Our priorities is to protect the dossier of rural cohesion and the protection of European competitiveness. It will be a difficult conversation if we remember that we have been needed 5 days last time. “
In closing, he stressed that “Greece emphasizes the common European energy market. We saw a first improvement in the summer but we have a job to do so that energy flows from cheaper countries to countries in need. “
Costa’s statements
Taking the floor, Antonio Costa said “visits like mine are important to the EU because institutions must come closer to citizens and all leaders, all peoples are important. We all need them to build unity, because this is our power. “
“On this occasion I would like to congratulate Greece on what has been done in the last 10 years. It is impressive how you recovered. Now you have the priority of competitiveness and security. However, nothing can be done without macroeconomic foundations, “the European Council president continued. As he added, “competitiveness and security are closely linked because you have to give confidence to investors. It is important to know what we can invest in security. ”
“Russia has violated the airspace of Poland and Romania but we have other borders that need to be protected. From Cyprus to Finland. That is why we say that border management must be improved to tackle illegal immigration and we must have a stronger immigration policy. I totally agree with Mr Mitsotakis that if we want more effective European defense, common European funding needs. An important step is the Safe program but more steps should be taken together. This does not only mean that we have to spend more and better. This is the only rational approach. Of course, a better economy is needed for businesses to offer better and more jobs. It is an important opportunity for the defense industry, ”Mr Costa said.
Especially for Greece he said that “it is in a very important geostrategic position. It is the European and the Middle East Bridge and what is happening in our region is important. What is happening in the Middle East cause difficulties in Europe. Regarding the immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the creation of conditions for the creation of two states, these must be done but we must also deal with the partnership with Egypt and study the situation in Syria. We are 27 Member States with different approaches and different ways we are considering the world and relations with partners. “
The questions
On the issue of common lending for defense spending, Mr Costa noted that “4 years ago no one was talking about the European Defense Europe. On the day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine we met and discussed whether non -deadly weapons could be sent to Ukraine. We are now talking about the Europe of common defense. I believe that the next budgetary framework is an important opportunity for the European to have a common defense. “
For the European Council to raise competitiveness and the Draghi report in relation to the US and China, Mr Mitsotakis said, for his part, that “there were many discussions about the report. Colleagues responded flatterly to bold Draghi proposals for the US competitiveness. But some have expressed doubts about how theoretical proposals can become practical policies. “
“We welcome the EU President’s initiative to simplify bureaucracy but we have delays. Energy policy has taken cowardly steps but we have not come to how we supervise the energy market and how to proceed with the interconnections. Greece is not afraid of foreign investment in Greek banks, I cannot say the same for all European countries we do not exploit the power of our common market to the extent that we could. If the debate on the next budget starts with how to shrink it, we will also reduce the ambitions, ”added Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“It is clear that we need a common European financial tool for joint defense spending investment. It would be very negative if the Draghi study simply ends up in a drawer as an exercise on paper that was not actually transformed. “
The dialogue before the meeting
In the dialogue they had before the start of the consultations, Mr Mitsotakis expressed his pleasure for Mr Costa’s presence in Athens, with the President of the European Council on the one hand stressing that “Greece is a very important country for the European Union” and on the other hand as “impressive”.
“It is a great pleasure that we have you in Athens, we have a rich agenda, our events keep busy,” Mr Mitsotakis said with Antonio Costa initially thanking the Greek Prime Minister “for the wonderful dinner (on Sunday night) but also for the opportunity.”
“Greece is a very important country in the EU and you have significant experience on the southern border of Europe. And if I am allowed to comment on the macroeconomic image, what you have done in the country for the last two years is impressive and important, ”Mr Costa added.
The dinner on Sunday night
Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Antonio Costa dined together on Sunday night at the Greek Prime Minister’s home
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