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Φωτο: Aris Oikonomou / SOOC

Mitsotakis: Europe must take European defence issues seriously

"In fact, today I had the opportunity to publish a relevant article in a major European newspaper, where I submit once again the Greek proposals on how we can spend more and better for our common defence," added Prime Minister.

"The informal European Council that is taking place in Brussels is happening at a time when we have to address tectonic geopolitical changes. I have spoken many times about the need for Europe to acquire more autonomy in terms of the management of issues concerning a common European defence," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted in a statement upon his arrival for the informal meeting in Brussels on Monday.

"In fact, today I had the opportunity to publish a relevant article in a major European newspaper, where I submit once again the Greek proposals on how we can spend more and better for our common defence," added Mitsotakis.

He also noted: "Specifically, I want to underline once more the need for greater flexibility in the fiscal rules, in order to provide an incentive to the countries that spend more than 2 percent of their GDP on armaments that they should not be 'punished' in the context of the existing laws on spending ceilings.

I underlined that, apart from the need to have greater flexibility at a national level, it is also extremely necessary to form a common European fund for defence projects which are essentially European priorities. In particular, I propose the creation of a fund of 100 billion euros, along the lines of the Recovery Fund, which could finance joint European actions, such as, for example, a European anti-missile shield."

Mitsotakis also said that he believes that the time is now ripe to pass from words to actions: "I do not expect specific conclusions today, but I believe that we will be given an opportunity to have a frank exchange of views, taking into account what is happening on the other side of the Atlantic. In any case, the time is ripe for Europe to assume its responsibilities, to 'grow up' geopolitically and to take the issues of European defence very seriously".

Mitsotakis on Santorini: Residents should stay calm

"We have to manage a very intense geological phenomenon. I want to ask the residents of Santorini to stay calm and to listen to the instructions of the Civil Protection agency," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in response to a question about whether the seismic activity in Santorini is a cause for concern.
 Mitsotakis was in Brussels for the informal European Council.

"I have also asked the competent ministry, within the next few days, to make a comprehensive presentation, a scientific presentation of the geological data, so that everyone is informed about the phenomenon we are dealing with," he added.

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