Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is traveling to Copenhagen to participate in the informal European Council meeting, on Wednesday, Sept. 1. A day later, he will join fellow leaders at the 7th Summit of the European Political Community (EPC).

The EPC program begins Wednesday evening with a formal dinner hosted by Denmark’s royal couple, before the summit’s working sessions open on Thursday morning.

Security, Defense and Ukraine Support in Focus

At the informal European Council, EU leaders will exchange views for the first time on strengthening the Union’s collective defense and security capacities. The talks will also cover continued support and financing for Ukraine. These discussions serve as a prelude to the presentation of the EU’s 2030 Defense Roadmap, expected at the regular European Council meeting on Oct. 23–24.

Mitsotakis is expected to stress that reinforcing the EU’s eastern borders cannot come at the expense of its southern frontiers, which also face mounting threats. He will argue that Europe’s security challenges extend beyond the Baltics, insisting that any defense strategy must also safeguard the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

This is not the first time the Greek premier has raised the issue. Back in March, he called for a comprehensive European security strategy, a position that drew support from other southern leaders.

Mitsotakis is also likely to recall the joint proposal he made with Poland’s prime minister in May 2024 for a European air defense shield, funded by the EU. The initiative remains on the table among collective defense programs of common European interest.

Migration Roundtable

Beyond defense, the Greek leader will participate in a roundtable on migration alongside the presidents of the European Commission and Parliament, and the prime ministers of Italy, Portugal, Malta, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Andorra.