Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the need to balance economic support for citizens with fiscal discipline, while also calling for stronger European defense cooperation, as he arrived at an informal European Council meeting in Cyprus.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Mitsotakis underlined the importance of enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy and reinforcing defense solidarity among member states. He pointed to recent developments as evidence that the European Union can act collectively to support countries facing external threats.
A key focus of his remarks was the activation of the EU’s mutual assistance clause, which obliges member states to support one another in the event of an attack. Mitsotakis said the issue is now firmly on the European agenda and stressed that Greece intends to further advance the discussion during its upcoming EU Council presidency in the second half of 2027.
Focus on Economic Stability
Alongside defense, the prime minister highlighted the importance of maintaining fiscal stability while continuing to support households facing economic pressure.
He noted that Greece has managed to generate budget surpluses, reduce public debt, and sustain strong growth, while still providing targeted support to society. This, he said, reflects the resilience of the country’s economy.
Mitsotakis acknowledged that citizens continue to face challenges from prolonged inflation and rising costs, compounded by broader economic uncertainty linked to geopolitical tensions.
No Promises Beyond Means
Reaffirming the government’s approach, he stressed that support measures would remain within the country’s financial capacity, avoiding commitments that could undermine fiscal balance.
“Our priority is to stand by citizens within our means,” he said, adding that maintaining economic stability is essential for implementing broader policy goals.
