Finally, in a months of uncertainty, the EU -US trade agreement puts, according to the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

From the House of Representatives, he also said that the agreement reinforces the energy security of the European economy in the foreseeable future. “From this point of view, evolution is positive,” he noted.

The whole Pierrakaki speech

Thank you very much,
Mr President
Ladies and gentlemen,

Before going to defense issues, which are the highest priority for the government, I would like to comment on yesterday’s trade agreement between the European Union and the United States on regulating the duties.

We are studying in depth the details of the agreement on which the European Commission this morning informed permanent representatives in Brussels.

The agreement puts an end to the uncertainty of months regarding the regime perhaps the most important bilateral trade relationship in the world economy. It ensures the transatlantic unity, prevents a trade war with chain negative impact on international trade and international distribution and production chains.

The agreement also reinforces the energy security of the European economy in the foreseeable future. From this point of view, evolution is positive.

As you know, Greece as a position of principle supports free trade, based on stable rules. Yesterday’s agreement provides for a 15% duty of duties to European exports to the US, with some asterisks.

Based on the position of Authority I described to you, the Greek government would like a lower duties, ideally zero for all transatlantic trade flows. On the other hand, the rate of duties announced is lower than that scheduled to be implemented on August 1st.

The government is closely monitoring the relevant consultations and, to the extent that it will allow the framework of the agreement, opportunities will be considered that could contribute to better addressing issues related to products of particular interest in our country.

But there is a fundamental issue for Europe itself. An issue in which the government, and I, in the context of participation in the Eurogroup and Ecofin, will insist consistently and determination.

If we really want a strong, competitive and single European economy, we have to overthrow the latest invisible walls that continue to prevent the free movement of goods and services within the Union. It is not possible, decades after the institutionalization of the single market, there are still obstacles, regulatory or administrative, that act in practice as intra -European “duties”.

In processing there are equivalent internal duties of 45% and in the services the equivalent reaches 110%. This has been reflected by the International Monetary Fund, Mario Draghi also said in his article. Therefore, what needs to be conquered and achieved is to remove obstacles mainly between European economies. And of course we should, as a country, be able to systematically address more and more markets, such as India and Middle Eastern markets for our exports.

Kyriakos Pierrakakis for SAFE program: “Thirty billion euros for the overall upgrading of the country’s equipment planning”

Ladies and gentlemen,

To come to the defense, which for us is neither a technocratic choice nor an accounting registration. It is above all a national affair. It is deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Greek people as a duty and as a priority of national survival.

The government is facing strengthening defense as a strategic first -line choice. And the Ministry of Economy and Finance is called upon to support this option, achieving a subtle balance: to shield the country against any external challenge and at the same time to enhance the daily life of the citizen. Because there is no strong defense without social cohesion. And vice versa, there is no social progress without security and stability.

The government, as announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, officially submits to the European Commission the initial expression of interest in low -profile loans at least 1.2 billion euros from the new SAFE mechanism. It is a European tool that strengthens Member States in their attempt to proceed with common defense supplies through long-term, low-profile loans.

In an age of increased geopolitical risks, the need for security, stability and European defense is decisive. Greece, with a plan and determination – all of what the Minister of National Defense has described, Mr. Dendias – participates in this new security architecture. And he does it not as a heaven, but as an initiative.

Participation in Safe allows the country’s equipment planning to be overall – had the opportunity to analyze the minister before – and the planning for the period 2025–2036 increases from 28.8 to 30 billion euros. The annual receipts will be raised from € 2.3 billion in 2026 to about € 2.6 billion from 2028 onwards.

This is not just numerical size. It is additional deterrent power for our country. It is a growth for the Greek defense industry. They are new jobs, a transfer of know -how, a productive restart in critical areas.

As a finance ministry, it is a second move we make, in the context of strengthening defense. The first was the escape clause. Greece did not call for exception to European rules to avoid its obligations. She requested an exception to respond to her mission and the rules themselves were shifted along the way. He essentially requested a escape clause where defense spending is exempted on the basis of the year 2024, and this is an example of a successful national claim within European institutions.

As I had the opportunity to emphasize recently to the Council of Ministers, 500 million euros of additional equipment expenditure from 2026 onwards, so for us, they will no longer be considered the expense rule. Because Europe recognizes – and accepts – that security is a public good, common to all. This clause is a national acquis. It is a victory for responsibility and seriousness. And it proves that Greece does not follow. Designs, claims and succeeds.

Kyriakos Pierrakakis for EAS: “Greece invests in its national power,
With the EAS protagonist and not an observer. ”

In the context of this planning for the defense and upgrading of the domestic defense industry, the EAS cooperation with the MSM Export to set up a joint company in Lavrio is also part of the cooperation of the EAS with the MSM Export.

It is a model of strategic partnership, in the standard of corresponding partnerships that are currently taking place in Europe. They have become older. This synergy reinforces the EAS, secures the public interest, utilizes European resources and introduces the Greek defense industry into a new era. It is a figure where the Greek public majority is maintained and maintained strategic control, while at the same time providing know -how, investment funds and access to international markets.

The legislation we are discussing today are essential for the smooth implementation of the EAS and MSM cooperation in the Lavrion Factory complex. It is well known that the consortium has undertaken programs following EU procedures and in accordance with Regulation 2023/1525/EU known as ASAP Regulation.

Recall that in the context of ASAP regulations, Greece submitted three investment proposals and approved the two. Our country was ranked 5th among the 28 countries that participated in the competition. Together with the participation of the European partner, the total amount of the investment will exceed 83 million. The CSG investment is 50 million to which 33m euros are added by the EU.

In order to proceed with this investment, there are necessary regulations that resolve basic regulatory, licensing and ownership issues.

The purpose of the arrangements is crystalline and absolutely clear: to form a flexible and functional legal framework that responds to today’s, urgent needs to strengthen the defense industry. The strategic requirements of the ASAP program leave no room for delay. On the contrary, they impose institutional purity and speed on implementation. At this juncture, we do not have the luxury of getting lost in unnecessary bureaucracy.

The new framework ensures that EAS facilities can be used or upgraded without activating the classic (environmental and urban) licensing processes, as they are incompatible with the urgency of defense needs at the current situation.

At the same time, the current ownership status of the Lavrion Factory complex is settled as the transition from the National Defense Fund (TEHA) is completed to the EAS which has been paid by the EAS already 40 years ago.

In addition, the exclusion of EAS from additional licenses is maintained, which ensures that the necessary extensions and modernization of production lines will proceed with speed.

Finally, the issue of the legal characterization of the affiliated ASA Societe Anonymes is addressed, which may be established in the future in the context of similar ventures to the Common Company so that the EAS are ready to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the particularly dynamic European and international context in the field of defense industry.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The corporate scheme, as it has been, contains strong advantages for our country. The EAS cooperation with the MSM Export relates to the establishment of a joint company in which the EAS major references and maintain complete control.

The EAS holds the majority (51%). The State will receive the corresponding dividend from the company’s activity.

The Slovak MSM of the CSG Czech Group holds 49%. This company is one of the largest large -handed ammunition producers in Europe and an important factor in the European Defense Industry.

Decisions of strategic importance are subject to compulsory approval of the EAS, regardless of the composition of the BoD.

The CEO is appointed only with the consent of the EAS.

The agreement clearly does not give vital rights, but it provides with explicit forecasts of the control, ownership and operational continuity of the EAS. Infrastructure remains in the State, production is reinforced, the Armed Forces are prioritized, and the state maintains an absolute potential for intervention whenever required.

Those who claim the opposite, whether they have simply not read the agreement or deliberately silence the data.

Greece organizes it with transparency, invests and enhances its national power, with the EAS protagonist and not an observer.

From the cooperation of the EAS with the Czech CSG through a consortium, Greece collects:

Upgrading and utilizing aging infrastructure and equipment.

Enhancement of EAS productive capacity,

Creating new jobs with specialized staff. It is estimated that more than 400 jobs will be created

Access to new export markets to which EAS today do not have access,

Multiplicative revenue for EAS through their participation in the profits of the new, Common, Company.

The strategic vision is to transform Greece into a hub of European ammunition. Lavrio, in this way, will be at the forefront of pan -European in the production of large caliber ammunition. This agreement strengthens our country.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Greece, a country with a centuries -old military tradition and geopolitical maturity, is not surprised. He knows when to prepare and when to lead with initiatives that shield national security and at the same time give a growth boost to the Greek economy.

Especially when some continue to invest in reviewing rhetoric and practices, often seeking to challenge our internationally guaranteed sovereign rights.

Our answer is calm, decisive and nationally responsible. Any initiative that enhances our defense capacity and upgrades our industrial and strategic self -sufficiency is a national responsibility initiative.

Thank you very much.