As European Union leaders convene in Brussels for the European Council summit, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis plans to push for measures to mitigate rising energy costs, a pressing concern amid ongoing economic pressures and energy security discussions. The summit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, will also address the war in Ukraine and its broader impacts on the EU.
Mitsotakis is expected to advocate for targeted and temporary support aimed at alleviating the financial burden on households and businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. The rising energy prices have been exacerbated by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies. Greece sees this situation as a wake-up call for the EU to address its competitiveness challenges and enhance energy security while adhering to long-term climate commitments.
In addition to energy concerns, Greece will resist further reductions in the EU’s long-term budget allocations for regional development and agriculture. Athens argues that emerging priorities, such as defense, security, and innovation, necessitate increased funding.
The Greek government is open to exploring new EU revenue streams, provided they do not disproportionately impact less-developed economies. On the topic of EU enlargement, Mitsotakis supports a merit-based approach and opposes linking membership negotiations to changes in the bloc’s decision-making procedures.
Migration is another key issue for Greece, with the country advocating for stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and the establishment of a common European mechanism to manage sudden spikes in migration effectively.