Joint statements by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with his Estonian counterpart Kaya Kallas, who is visiting our country, are currently underway.

Mr. Mitsotakis, at the beginning of his statements, referred to the common values ​​shared by Greece and Estonia and how it is natural as allies to have a common stance against the international challenges and the dramatic events that are ongoing in the Middle East.

“The EU and the entire civilized world condemn the bloody terrorist attack against Israel. These are events that undermine a fair solution in the region, we know it well in our neighborhood, they threaten the disruption of international security and the economy and even the resurgence of immigration,” added the prime minister.

He emphasized that “our position is categorical, borders cannot be violated”.

Regarding the bilateral relations between Greece and Estonia, Mr. Mitsotakis said that they also discussed immigration as “Greece is a frontline country that hosts immigrants from war zones while it is not excluded that it will face new pressures on its borders”.

“Immigration has become a top European priority but as I have emphasized it cannot be solved unless its external dimension is addressed. We have to strike a balance between border protection but also the official channel for those who can come to Europe on our terms, however,” stressed Mr. Mitsotakis.

The Prime Minister’s entire statement

“Dear Kaja, I welcome you today in Athens confident that your visit marks the excellent relations between our two countries. After all, as European partners and allies in NATO Greece and Estonia share common principles and values ​​and I have great memories of the last visit I made to Tallinn and I am glad that you are returning this visit so quickly today here in Athens.

It is natural, as allies, to have a common attitude towards international challenges and the dramatic events in the Middle East. Together with the European Union and the civilized world as a whole, our governments condemn the bloody terrorist attack against Israel and, of course, the horrible scenes we saw, the murders, the kidnappings of citizens.

At the same time, we recognize the right of self-defense to the defenders, certainly seeking the restoration of peace as soon as possible.

These are events that not only undermine a just solution in this troubled region, violating the sovereignty of an independent state, but unfortunately – and we know this well in our own neighborhood – they ignite tension in a wide arc of the world map. With many and parallel consequences, from the disruption of international security and the economy to, unfortunately, the resurgence of immigration.

Our position, therefore, is unequivocal: borders cannot be violated, terrorist activity cannot remain unanswered, because in such cases, equal distances objectively favor aggression and authoritarianism, while the 21st century cannot accommodate other foci violence, nor pretexts of religious or ethnic differences.

Turning now to our bilateral relations, we were pleased to see once again the significant progress we have made in trade, which still has room for improvement, but also in digital technologies. It is a critical driver of development as well as social performance in all sectors, from public services and the operation of the state to modern education, health, culture.

Estonia was a pioneer in e-government issues and I must tell you, dear Kaja, that when we too planned our own digital revolution, which has already borne significant fruit, we used Estonia as a model country.

And I am sure that we will be given the opportunity to work together even more to face new challenges, such as artificial intelligence and the need for a European regulatory framework to govern the action of companies operating in this space.

Of course, with Kaja we also discussed the wider regional developments, based on the commitment of both our countries to the respect of International Law, the Law of the Sea, to the rejection of any form of revisionism. That is why both the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Greek-Turkish relations and of course the international wound of the Cypriot and the Turkish occupation had a place on our agenda.

As far as the Russian invasion is concerned now, Athens and Tallinn, Tallinn and Athens, we stand firmly by the defending Ukraine, within the framework of Europe and NATO, which is also reflected in the joint statement we signed when he visited us here in Athens at the end of August President Zelenskyy.

For my part, I emphasized, in addition to the ongoing support we provide to Ukraine, the important role of Greek ports, Alexandroupolis and Thessaloniki, as alternative routes for the transport of goods to and from Ukraine.

Of course, I also informed my Estonian counterpart about the developments in the course of Greek-Turkish relations, following the meeting I had with President Erdoğan, about the political dialogue, about the Confidence Building Measures, about the positive agenda that I am looking forward to. But also for the responsibility that Turkey has, which typically, as a candidate country for membership in Europe, is bound by the principles of good neighborliness.

Finally, we exchanged views on the cooperation between Greece and Estonia within the framework of NATO and the European Union. Regarding the first, our common belief is that, after the decisions of the last Summit in Vilnius, the cornerstone of the alliance remains the solidarity but also the consistency of all member states in the unified decisions that must bind us all. Whereas, with regard to the upcoming European Council Meeting, we have discussed and will discuss in more detail the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, which is being formulated, which must be revised, ideally by the end of the year.

An issue for which we share the position that Europe must balance between fiscal responsibility and the need for national flexibility, so that countries converge, but also maintain the cohesion of their societies. Besides, Greece has already made very important steps forward. She has left the difficult times of the crisis behind her. We are no longer a problem country for the European Union and we can face this debate with much more confidence than in the past.

Finally, we were also concerned with immigration, as a common challenge but also as a, unfortunately, particular threat in the shadow of the new crisis in the Middle East, which I mentioned at the beginning. I often have the opportunity to inform my counterparts about the role of Greece as a front-line country, which hosts immigrants from war zones, and a country that cannot be excluded from being called upon to accept new pressures on its borders.

Immigration has become a top European priority. Yes, important steps are being taken, the conclusion of the negotiations on the Migration and Asylum Pact is a step in the right direction. But I want to attach special importance to the support provided by Estonia to the constant Greek position that the European immigration problem cannot be solved if we do not first and foremost deal with its external dimension, if we do not effectively guard our borders. We cannot allow traffickers to determine who enters the European Union, this must be the responsibility of Europe and the Member States.

But, at the same time, we have to balance between a strict but fair border guarding policy and the need to give legal channels of organized migration to those who can and should come to Europe, but on our terms, not on the traffickers’ terms.

So I close by thanking Kaja for her visit. I think that today we have emphatically confirmed that the 101 years that are closing since the beginning of our diplomatic relations, only state one thing: that the excellent relations of our countries do not only come from afar but go even further.”