Greece's Defence Transformation: Mitsotakis' Address

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the Greek Parliament on Wednesday, outlining a comprehensive transformation of Greece's armed forces. He emphasized that this marks the most significant shift in the country’s defence policy in modern history. Mitsotakis quoted Thomas Jefferson, noting, “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance,” highlighting Greece’s commitment to security and progress, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonian

The prime minister stressed that defence spending is not limited to military equipment, but involves a broader, stable investment in the nation's strength and independence amid a rapidly changing global landscape. He noted the importance of Greece’s military in safeguarding national interests, particularly in regions like Evros and the Aegean, and underscored the significance of strategic agreements with countries like the United States and France.

Mitsotakis also touched upon the evolving global dynamics, particularly the shifting defence stance of the US and the need for the European Union to strengthen its strategic autonomy. He highlighted recent steps, including fiscal flexibility for defence investments, while assuring that this would not lead to excess spending.

The prime minister further called for the creation of an EU defence fund and challenged opposition parties to reconsider their stance on European rearmament, urging MPs to distinguish between “patriots in words and patriots in practice.”