Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said relations between Greece and Austria remain excellent following his meeting with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Salzburg on July 27, highlighting tourism, energy, migration, defence and climate resilience as key areas of cooperation.
“Greece consistently ranks among Austrians’ favourite holiday destinations, just as Austria is a popular choice for Greek travellers,” Mitsotakis emphasized, adding that mountain tourism is a major priority for Greece. He also noted that Mount Olympus has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Mitsotakis stressed that high energy costs are undermining Europe’s competitiveness, particularly for countries such as Greece and Austria that have invested heavily in renewables. He also highlighted Greece’s growing role as a natural gas supplier to southeastern Europe, linking energy security to geopolitical stability and defence. The two leaders also discussed joint defence production under the EU’s SAFE initiative and migration.
Shared approach to migration and returns
Mitsotakis said Greece and Austria had helped establish the protection of the EU’s external borders as a shared responsibility, a principle reflected in the bloc’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum.
“We have made significant progress, but we can do more and do better,” he said, praising Austria’s efforts and noting that Greece had also significantly reduced arrivals. He called for a more effective returns system alongside legal migration pathways, arguing that those who do not qualify for asylum should receive a clear European message that they will be returned to their countries of origin.
Mitsotakis stressed that the EU must balance strong border protection and effective returns with safe, legal migration, noting that Greece and Austria share a similar approach. “Greece and Austria are practically aligned in the way we approach this issue,” he added.
He also reaffirmed Greece’s support for the Western Balkans’ European path, based on clear conditions for all candidates.
Energy, Middle East crisis and economic support
Turning to the new crisis in the Gulf and the wider Middle East, Mitsotakis said Greece and Austria hoped to prevent further escalation. For Greece, he stressed, safeguarding freedom of navigation is of critical importance, given the country’s major shipping sector, and “there can be no fees or tariffs” affecting maritime routes.
He also said Greece had spent around 800 million euros in additional support measures during 2026 as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. Mitsotakis thanked Stocker for his positive comments on the Greek economy, noting that Greece had moved from being subject to strict scrutiny during its previous financial crisis to becoming an example of fiscal discipline.
“We are a country generating primary surpluses, reducing our debt at one of the fastest rates, and we have limited fiscal space to support society in times of extraordinary crises,” he empasized.
He added that Greece would provide a 0.10 euros-per-litre diesel subsidy in August, while continuing to support vulnerable households amid Europe-wide inflation and rising fuel prices.
Tourism cooperation and labour shortages
The two leaders discussed tourism labour shortages and agreed to explore closer cooperation, while Mitsotakis congratulated Austria on its UN Security Council election and invited Chancellor Stocker to visit Greece.
Climate crisis and European civil protection
Mitsotakis expressed solidarity with Spain and France over their wildfires, highlighting EU cooperation and Greece’s support with two Canadair aircraft. He also called for greater EU funding for climate adaptation, stressing its importance for tourism and communities already facing the effects of climate change.
