Greek PM Mitsotakis advocates for European technology in EU defense projects

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the need for joint European projects using European technology for the defense of EU countries.

Speaking at a panel organized by a media outlet in Athens, Mitsotakis discussed key issues on the European agenda.

Mitsotakis highlighted the rise of the far-right in Europe, particularly in France and Germany, ahead of the European Parliament (EP) elections.

He stated that immigration and defense would be prominent topics in the new term of the EP following the elections, noting that his party, New Democracy, emerged as the leading party in Greece.

Commenting on the decline in his party’s vote share compared to the 2023 general elections, Mitsotakis interpreted it as a message from the public regarding the high cost of living.

He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic provided Greece with an opportunity to take new steps toward environmental sustainability and digitalization. Following the war in Ukraine, Mitsotakis mentioned that European countries are reassessing their defense budgets.

Drawing attention to the limited national defense budgets within EU countries, Mitsotakis stated Greece spends more than 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense out of necessity, while many other EU countries invest in other areas instead of defense.

The Greek Prime Minister remarked that regardless of how much EU countries increase their defense spending, these funds often end up in the U.S.

“If we want to be serious about defense, we must identify European projects with European technology that serve common European goals. Therefore, I proposed, along with (Polish Prime Minister Donald) Tusk, a European joint defense shield co-financed by the EU,” he asserted.

Mitsotakis also stressed the critical importance of food security and called for a review of the EU’s common agricultural policy.