Greece backs 360-degree EU defence strategy at Brussels leaders’ summit
The new 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, global macroeconomic imbalances, the latest developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, and European defence and security are among the key issues on the agenda of the EU leaders' summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, attended by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
On the Multiannual Financial Framework, leaders are expected to discuss the new negotiating framework ("Nego Box") prepared by the Cypriot Presidency, which for the first time includes indicative budgetary figures, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.
Greece's position is that the EU ambitious objectives must be matched by an ambitious European budget. Revenues for the new budget - including both existing and new own resources, as well as other funding sources - should support the bloc's enhanced strategic and investment priorities.
A key priority for Greece remains safeguarding funding for Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), while ensuring that efforts to strengthen European competitiveness do not result in wider disparities among EU member states and regions.
Mitsotakis has also repeatedly advocated common European financing, including joint EU borrowing, to fund investments in common European public goods such as energy and defence.
In discussions on EU competitiveness and global macroeconomic imbalances, Greece's position is that boosting the competitiveness of the European economy should be the primary objective, as it is the main determinant of the bloc's trade deficit with China. Government sources noted that while factors such as industrial subsidies leading to artificially lower prices should not be overlooked, Europe's fundamental challenge lies in its own structural weaknesses.
These include high energy costs, barriers within the Single Market, and the fragmentation of Europe's financial system. For these reasons, Greece strongly supports the investments and reforms needed in the European energy market, the deepening of the Single Market, and rapid progress towards completing the Savings and Investments Union, the sources added.
On security and defence, the prime minister is expected to reiterate his longstanding position that collective European defence must address threats facing the entire continent, effectively adopting a comprehensive 360-degree approach.
Regarding the Middle East, Greece has consistently supported de-escalation and the pursuit of a diplomatic solution. Athens welcomes recent developments and continues to stress, as the prime minister has previously stated, the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring freedom of navigation without delay. Greece is also participating in the Franco-British initiative concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
Mitsotakis will attend a meeting of European People's Party (EPP) leaders at 16:00 (Athens time)before joining the European Council summit at 19:00 (Athens time).
Earlier in the day, at 12:00, the prime minister will deliver a keynote address at a high-level event in Brussels titled "Greece's National Social Agreement: A European Model for Social Dialogue." The event will showcase the Greek experience as a best-practice example and model for social dialogue at the European level.
Speakers at the event will also include Labour and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Minzatu, and Seamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee.
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