“It is important in difficult times to have stability,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday, once again supporting the candidacy of Ursula von der Leyen for the presidency of the Commission.

“We are meeting here today and at the same time a very important vote is taking place in Strasbourg. I hope that Ms. Ursula von der Leyen will be re-elected as President of the European Commission. It is very important in these difficult times to have continuity, stability and experience,” he said.

“The agenda he has set in relation to the EU’s priorities, the issues of competitiveness, common European defensethe protection of the European way of life, immigration issues, are important issues and will be discussed at the European political community meeting, they are issues that concern all European countries,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

He underlined that in two days from today on July 20th we will have the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which resulted in the possession of a piece of the island. “It is the last occupied and divided European region, and I hope that eventually the issue will be resolved and discussions between the two communities will continue under the auspices of the UN always in the spirit of the Security Council resolutions that define a possible solution,” he noted.

The prime minister is in Oxford where he will participate in the fourth European Political Community Summit.

In her opening remarks to the European Parliament. the German politician painted a grim picture of the current state of a polarized world.

“We are in a period of deep concern,” she said, addressing the 720 members of the European Parliament ahead of today’s crucial vote.

In this context, Ursula von der Leyen underlined that she aims for a stronger and more democratic Europe. “I am convinced that Europe, a strong Europe, can rise to the challenge and that is why I am asking for your trust today.”