Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with the new Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, at the Maximos Palace. During the meeting, the priorities of the next NATO cycle, with a view to the Hague Summit, which will take place in June 2025, were discussed, as well as the latest developments in Ukraine.

EU-NATO cooperation was also discussed. The Prime Minister underlined the need to strengthen European defense and the European defense industry. He also informed Mr. Ask in detail about the proposal to develop a European air defense shield, an initiative that will strengthen the collective security of EU and NATO member states.

“His combination of experience, knowledge and skills will enable him to successfully lead the alliance, something particularly critical in the difficult period we are going through,” the prime minister initially said in their joint statements. Kyriakos Mitsotakisreferring to the new role of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The prime minister said the two men had the opportunity to discuss all the hot issues of the day, as well as NATO’s strategic priorities. “We discussed in particular the constructive role of Greece, because indeed our country is recognized as a strong pillar of security, stability and democracy in this sensitive and troubled south-eastern wing of the alliance and with Greece’s special interest turning to the southern neighborhood, under the shadow of tragic developments in the Middle East”.

Continuing, Mr. Mitsotakis expressed hope for a ceasefire in Lebanon, “so that at least this front can be closed as soon as possible”.

The prime minister added that together with Ruto they also discussed what is happening on the war fronts in Ukraine, with a common position that “the support to Ukraine must continue, especially in winter. “We remain consistent with the package of measures of the Washington summit. Our country has stood firmly by the side of the defenders for the thousand and some days that this illegal (Russian) invasion has been going on.”

Mr. Mitsotakis also mentioned that the two agreed on some fundamental priorities for all allies, in the need to strengthen collective defense, “a goal that requires a strong defense industry and significant investments”.

“Greece invests a little more than 3% of its GDP in defense. We are one of the protagonists in Europe. I want to remind you that we invested more than 2% in defense and in the very difficult times of the memorandums, when other European countries invested much less than that,” emphasized Mr. Mitsotakis.

The Prime Minister mentioned that Greece has submitted specific proposals to Brussels regarding the strengthening of European defense. “Especially for finding fiscal space, especially for those countries that want to invest more in this area, so that all member states are shielded more effectively, and for the need for anti-missile protection, after the recent developments in Ukraine.”

“We recognized together, that in the face of the complex challenges that are taking shape in our time, we must build bridges of cooperation with our partners. To move forward together, with faith in the fundamental principles of freedom, democracy and solidarity with the necessary and irrevocable adherence of all to the observance of international law and international treaties”. stressed the prime minister.

“Dear Mark, your presence here today in Athens, in your new capacity, seals our shared commitment to these values. That is why I welcome you again to Greece with the words of the Dutch philosopher Spinoza, which have remained relevant for almost four centuries: United we more easily conquer what we need, just as we more easily fend off the dangers that surround us” concluded the prime minister.

Mark Rutte, for his part, described Greece as a strong ally. He also noted that our country has invested 3% of its GDP in defense, while it is proceeding with a new modernization of the armed forces.

Rutte also said regional challenges were discussed and that as allies they can continue to provide substantial support to Ukraine.

“Greece joined NATO 72 years ago. Since then, you have been a loyal ally and the country has played a critical role in supporting our collective defense. Greece has made security a priority, spending 3% of GDP on defense. Greece has a highly trained army.”

Continuing, the g.c. of NATO noted that Greece has a growing defense industry. “You host important training facilities and exercises. Greece has also supported Ukraine since the first days of the Russian invasion.”

Rutte welcomed that Greece would help speed up the training of Ukrainian pilots and technicians on the F-16.

He also noted that Russia is using North Korean troops and weapons, Iranian drones and Chinese goods for its defense industry in its war in Ukraine. “This is a dangerous extension of the war and a challenge to world peace and security. Our support for Ukraine keeps it fighting. We must go further to change the flow of the conflict.” He added that NATO should provide Ukraine with the necessary air defense and adhere to the package of measures of the Washington summit. He referred to the coordination of aid and training in the field of security, the financial commitment of 40 billion euros and further measures to bring Ukraine closer to NATO.

“As NATO, we have the ability to defend every inch of our territory,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte after the private meeting he had with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at Megaros Maximos.

Rutte emphasized that NATO must move in the direction of strengthening its own deterrence and defense by increasing its relevant investments and production capabilities.

In closing, Rutte thanked K. Mitsotakis for his welcome and friendship and noted that he looks forward to their discussion at the lunch after their joint statements.

Watch the statements of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who visited Athens today after his visit to Turkey yesterday.

The entire statement of Kyriakos Mitsotakis

“Good morning. Today we welcome in Athens my good friend Mark Rutte, in his new capacity as Secretary General of NATO. I am absolutely certain – we had the opportunity to work together for five years in the European Council – that this combination of experience, knowledge and skills will enable him to successfully lead the Alliance, which is particularly crucial in the difficult period we are going through.

In our first meeting we had the opportunity to approach all the hot issues of international current affairs, as well as of course the strategic priorities of NATO. We particularly discussed the constructive role of Greece, because indeed our country is recognized as a strong pillar of security, stability and democracy in this sensitive and troubled south-eastern wing of the Atlantic Alliance.

And with Greece’s special interest apparently turning to the Southern Neighborhood, under the shadow of the tragic developments in the Middle East, let me also express my hope that this time the negotiations for a cease-fire in southern Lebanon will succeed, so that at least this front can be closed as soon as possible.

And of course, we looked at what is happening on the war fronts in Ukraine, with a common position that support to Ukraine must continue, especially in the winter, which has already begun. This means we stay consistent with the Washington Summit package. Our country stands firmly on the side of the defenders, for the thousand and some days that this illegal invasion has been going on.

We also converged on one of the fundamental priorities for all allies, the need to strengthen our collective defense. A goal that, of course, requires a strong defense industry, significant investments, but I believe that we had the opportunity to discuss many times in the European Council a more functional relationship between NATO and the European Union, in order to further strengthen the European pillar of the Alliance.

Greece invests a little more than 3% of its GDP in defense. We are one of the protagonists in Europe and I want to remind you that we invested more than 2% in defense and during the very difficult times of the memorandums, when other European countries invested much less than that.

Of course, we have submitted specific proposals to Brussels regarding the strengthening of European defense – especially for finding fiscal space, especially for those countries that want to invest more in this sector, so that all member states can shield themselves more effectively – and the need for a common anti-missile defense.

After the recent developments in Ukraine, I think this becomes more relevant than ever. It is an initiative that would strengthen and complement the Alliance’s role on our continent. And I think the time has come to discuss how this necessity will be implemented.

And of course, at our meeting we had the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the precious heritage of our 72 years of presence in the Alliance and, at the same time, our country’s strong will to continue on the same path.

Finally, we recognized together that in the face of the complex challenges that are taking shape in our time, in our world, we must build bridges of cooperation with our partners. To move forward together, with faith in the fundamental principles of freedom, democracy, solidarity, with the necessary and unwavering adherence of all to the observance of International Law, but – let me stress this – also international treaties. International treaties form the basis of the international security architecture, which, of course, particularly concerns the sensitive region of the Western Balkans.

Dear Mark, your presence here today in Athens, in your new capacity, seals our shared commitment to these values. That is why I welcome you again to Greece with the words of the Dutch philosopher Spinoza, which have remained relevant for almost four centuries: “United we more easily conquer what we need, just as we more easily repel the dangers that surround us”. He said it very well four centuries ago.

Again, welcome to Athens.”

Including, with the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias met earlier Rutte, in the context of his visit to Athens, but also with the Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis.

As mentioned earlier in his post, Mr. Dendias, they discussed with Rutte, among other things, the developments in Ukraine, EU relations. and NATO, Greece’s relations with the member states of the Alliance in the wider region, regional and international security issues. Also, the two men referred to the development of the defense industry and innovation, as well as the role of Greece as a pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, within the framework of International Law and the Law of the Sea.

Mark Rutte also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, with whom he discussed the growing challenges “to our collective security”, including the threat of terrorism, the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.

“In an increasingly unpredictable world, Turkey makes an invaluable contribution to NATO,” Rutte stressed.