Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged EU partners to stay realistic and prepare contingency plans in case the ongoing Middle East crisis escalates, speaking during a joint discussion EU Council President Antonio Costa on Wednesday at the annual Delphi Economic Forum.
He argued that while diplomacy should remain the priority, European leaders must also be ready for worst-case scenarios at upcoming talks. He also warned that a prolonged disruption, especially involving the crucial Strait of Hormuz, could trigger major consequences, including energy price spikes, supply shortages (notably in oil and fertilizers), rising inflation and slower economic growth.
Mitsotakis stressed that Europe needs a “Plan B” if the crisis drags on, noting that no country—Greece included—would be fully shielded from such a shock without collective EU support, even if some economies are currently more resilient than others.
The Greek prime minister also cautioned against relying on hopes of a quick stabilization. Drawing on lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he said Europe must prepare for more adverse scenarios. At the same time, he suggested the crisis could push the EU to rethink its approach to strategic autonomy and energy security.
Finally, he highlighted the need for “energy realism”, saying Europe should not focus solely on green transition goals without ensuring reliable and sufficient energy supplies.
