Greece’s long-standing position in favor of diplomatic solutions, the need for the international decline in oil prices to be immediately reflected in the Greek market, as well as Greece’s national priorities ahead of discussions on the European Union’s new Multiannual Financial Framework, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized this upon his arrival at the European Council summit in Brussels
The Prime Minister began his remarks by welcoming the positive developments in the Middle East, specifically the agreement reached between the United States and Iran. He also noted that Greece’s primary concerns are the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and fuel prices at the pump.
Referring to fuel prices, Mr. Mitsotakis stated that “it is the duty of the Greek government to ensure that the decline in crude oil prices is immediately reflected in lower prices for diesel and gasoline at the pump, thereby benefiting all Greek consumers.”
The Greek Strategy
Previewing the discussion on the EU’s new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Prime Minister made it clear that the Greek strategy comprises three pillars:
1. Traditional Funds: Safeguarding the core of Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
2. Competitiveness Fund: Fair allocation of resources to prevent economic disparities from widening between the EU’s stronger and weaker economies.
3. Migration: He expressed satisfaction with the increased budget, but also noted the need for further support.
Defense Funding
The Prime Minister also raised the issue of European defense capabilities. As he said, “defense is a common European good and must be treated as such,” he noted emphatically, adding that this goal would be served more effectively if the national capabilities of member states were bolstered by a strong, centralized European funding mechanism.
The full statement by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis upon his arrival at the European Council summit in Brussels is as follows:
Let me begin with developments in the Middle East. Greece welcomes the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, as well as any initiative that will help ease tensions in the region. We have always been advocates of a diplomatic solution to such issues.
At this moment, the top priority is the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and of course we are monitoring oil and natural gas prices very closely. We have already seen an initial significant easing of pressure, and it is the Greek government’s duty, as I have said, to ensure that the drop in crude oil prices is immediately reflected in lower prices for diesel and gasoline at the pump, thereby benefiting all Greek consumers.
We will also have the opportunity today to hold yet another discussion on the new Multiannual Financial Framework, the European Union’s budget. I have said many times that the ambitious goals we have set require equally ambitious financing tools.
Greece, like many other countries, will fight to preserve the core of the two fundamental European funding instruments, which are none other than the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy.
And, of course, at the same time, we will argue that the new Competitiveness Fund, which is intended to support European businesses in the face of global competition, must be allocated fairly so as not to contribute to further economic disparities between stronger and weaker economies.
Greece welcomes the fact that the budget for migration has been increased, but will continue to strive to convince our partners that common financing instruments are needed to address the major challenges in the area of defense.
Defense is a European public good; it must be treated as such, and consequently, this objective can be served much better if we can supplement national capabilities with a significant European financing instrument.