The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis revealed that an extraordinary EU summit will take place on Feb. 3, during the press conference held following the conclusion of the European Council Summit proceedings in Brussels on Dec.19. The focus of the Feb. EU summit will be European defence.
Mitsotakis expressed his satisfaction with the decision to convene an extraordinary European Council meeting in Feb., a development driven by a Greek initiative. The informal summit, will focus exclusively on European defense.
The prime minister highlighted the urgency of a geopolitical and defense awakening across Europe, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to address mounting challenges.
“Greece’s positions are well known; there’s no need to reiterate them. The significant geopolitical tensions we face require political awakening that can operate on many different levels. Mobilization of European resources is necessary, as I have written and explained many times, including the creation of a European defense fund,” Mitsotakis emphasized.
Addressing Turkey’s involvement in Syria, he stated that it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about Turkey’s role and its involvement in Syria, as well as the implications of this involvement for the country’s future.
“Everyone should be concerned about ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity and protecting the country’s religious minorities,” Mitsotakis noted.
He further stated that along with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, they informed their European partners about the potential risks to regional stability that could arise from any Turkish attempt to establish an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with the new regime in Syria.
Mitsotakis also referred to the Turkey-Libya memorandum reiterating once again that it is illegal.
The prime minister highlighted the significant role Greece has to play in Syria’s future, remarking that Greece is the spiritual protector of the Greek Orthodox community, whose safety is a top priority for Athens.
Regarding the migration issue, Mitsotakis spoke of voluntary returns to Syria, emphasizing the need to ensure that those wishing to return have their basic needs met.
As for the recent statements made by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia about a ‘Macedonian people,’ Mitsotakis clarified that he pointed out to Hristijan Mickoski that the Prespa Agreement must be fully respected, including the use of the name erga omnes (for all purposes).
