Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has rejected Turkish criticism of Greece’s military procurement and defence policies, declaring that Athens would accept no instructions on how to protect its territory.
Mitsotakis made the remarks during a meeting with European Council President António Costa in Athens on Thursday, amid renewed tensions over the Aegean and Turkish challenges to Greek sovereignty.
“My country is a peaceful country and poses no threat to anyone. However, it will not accept instructions from anyone on how to strengthen its defence capabilities,” Mitsotakis said.
The Greek Prime Minister said he had briefed Costa on what he described as a recent escalation in Turkish provocations in the Aegean.
“Respect for Internationa Law and good neighbourly relations is, after all, a prerequisite for the European path of any candidate country,” he said.
“It is inconceivable that there should be an active threat of war and challenges to Greek sovereignty from a country that aspires to improve its relations with the European Union.”
While reiterating Greece’s support for Turkey’s European aspirations, Mitsotakis said progress must be accompanied by improved relations with Athens.
“Turkey’s European path, which we wish to strengthen, must go hand in hand with the establishment of good neighbourly relations with Greece,” he said.
Mitsotakis also addressed European defence cooperation and the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, which is intended to support joint military procurement.
“SAFE was an important initiative and moved in the right direction. However, we need more, and we also need to choose our partners very carefully,” he said.
“I would remind you that the condition for the participation of third countries in the programme was – and remains – that the security and defence interests of member states must not be compromised.”
Beyond Greek-Turkish relations, Mitsotakis and Costa discussed preparations for Greece’s presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2027.
“Greece is already actively participating in the relevant processes, with very clear positions and bold proposals,” Mitsotakis said.
“These are positions that I believe serve our shared vision of a Europe that is stronger, more competitive and more secure.”
The two leaders also discussed negotiations over the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, with Mitsotakis calling for a political agreement by the end of the year.
The Greek Prime Minister argued that the EU required a more ambitious budget capable of funding new priorities without weakening cohesion programs or the Common Agricultural Policy.
“We cannot achieve more by spending less,” he said.
Mitsotakis also called for greater European cooperation on defence, climate-related disasters, artificial intelligence, new technologies and energy affordability.
“We cannot speak of a truly competitive Europe when our businesses, but also our households, continue to pay more for energy than our competitors,” he said, describing the completion of the single European energy market as an “absolute priority”.
Source: AMNA