Mitsotakis Urges EU to Strengthen Defence and Increase Fiscal Flexibility

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for major European Union decisions on strengthening collective defence and increasing fiscal flexibility at the Special European Council in Brussels, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonian

Mitsotakis welcomed proposals to enhance the EU’s deterrent capabilities and push for budgetary flexibility, allowing member states to exceed 2% of GDP in defence spending. He emphasized that Greece has long advocated for these changes, arguing that nations already investing heavily in defence should be supported while others should be encouraged to contribute more.

He also highlighted the creation of new financial instruments from the Recovery Fund, a long-standing Greek demand. Additionally, he reaffirmed the EU’s strategic autonomy as a top priority.

Regarding Ukraine, Mitsotakis stressed the need for security guarantees and urged continued U.S. involvement in efforts for a sustainable peace. Meanwhile, government sources noted that the European People's Party adopted the Greek prime minister’s proposal for a European Defence Declaration.