His satisfaction for “the important steps towards the implementation of a common European defense policy” expressed the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during the press conference he gave on Thursday evening after the end of the European Council’s work in Brussels, speaking specifically about the institutionalization of the escape clause and the SAFE program.
The Greek Prime Minister emphasized that it is very important that the Roadmap for EU preparedness includes flagship projects, which have always been a national priority, such as the anti-missile shield. “It is also very important that there is now recognition that any defense project should take into account all European borders”he said.
The idea of ​​a European Defense Fund
In question, in fact, about his idea of ​​one common European lending mechanismMr. Mitsotakis emphasized that, at this stage, the financial tools for the aforementioned projects have not been specified. “We are not yet at the point where the idea of ​​a common European Defense Fund has matured. I will insist on presenting this proposal, discussing it at the European Council and I believe the time will come when this particular proposal will mature, because it responds to a real common European need”.
“Turkey does not qualify for SAFE”
In question about the program SAFE and the discussion about it remedial loan to Ukraine through the utilization of “frozen” Russian funds, the Greek Prime Minister pointed out that “Greece has made it clear that at this time Turkey does not meet the conditions to participate in the said program as it maintains the casus belli against Greece, while still disputing Greek sovereignty over islands in the Aegean”.
Also, Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed that during today’s meeting no decision was taken on the reparation loan and noted that the Commission is called upon in the near future to present a very well-documented legally proposal in which, as he said, it will be ensured that the European partners will not be burdened with unnecessary systemic risks.
In a question about the debate, which took place in the European Council on housing problem the Greek prime minister emphasized that “the Greek government has unveiled a comprehensive plan for the housing issue” again invoking the measure of returning a full rent at the end of November. Mr. Mitsotakis did not fail to express his satisfaction for the specific debate at the European level and underlined that “Europe has a role to play in giving us more flexibility in use of European programs.
For example for house repairs without being strictly limited that these repairs should only concern energy upgrading. Expect announcements from the Greek government in this direction. I believe we can be at the forefront of these initiatives. In view of the next budget, we should also consider European financial tools to deal with the housing problem.
“Ambitious but realistic”
In a question about her competitiveness and her green transition the prime minister insisted that in terms of the energy transition we should be ambitious and at the same time realistic, so as not to undermine the competitiveness of European industry and of course “not to cause social unrest by imposing an unbearable cost on our households and our business”.
In addition, the Greek Prime Minister emphasized that “there is a more general understanding that we must be flexible and realistic and we must not prioritize the goal of climate neutrality over and above other goals, such as competitiveness and social cohesion, which should also be served through our policies.” Besides, Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized that the Greek priorities are clearly reflected in the text of the conclusions, as we agreed after a long discussion, and he appeared satisfied with the result we achieved.
“Non-negotiable respect for International Law”
Finally, to a question about the initiative he announced a week ago regarding the 5X5 shape in the Eastern Mediterranean the Greek prime minister pointed out that “very soon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be able to present a clearer Roadmap for this thought that I have presented. It should not surprise us that Greece takes such an initiative, as our country has participated in and launched several multilateral schemes. Obviously, we would be open if there are other Eastern Mediterranean countries that would like to participate to consider something like this. However, there is an inviolable condition for this initiative to be effective and finally come to an end. The one and inviolable condition is the non-negotiable respect for International Law and the Law of the Sea because there should be a basic framework for discussions both on the question of the delimitation of maritime zones, and on other issues such as dealing with the climate crisis”.
Source: Skai
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