Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for restraint and stronger European coordination as he arrived at the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday morning, warning that attacks on energy infrastructure risk further destabilizing already volatile markets. “Reason must prevail, and attacks on energy infrastructure must stop,” Mitsotakis said, referring to escalating tensions in the Middle East that have already pushed oil and gas prices sharply higher.
He described the summit as taking place at “an extremely critical geopolitical moment,” warning that a widening conflict in the Middle East is already having serious consequences for the global economy.
Call for EU solidarity and defense coordination
Mitsotakis also stressed the need to activate the European Union’s mutual assistance clause more effectively, highlighting Greece’s support for Cyprus following a recent attack.“This crisis has highlighted the need for the activation of the EU’s mutual assistance clause,” he said, referring explicitly to Article 42.7 of the EU treaties. “Greece moved quickly to support Cyprus when it came under attack, and many European countries followed. I will ask for a clear roadmap to ensure this support becomes an institutionalized EU mechanism.”
He added that Greece would raise the issue formally at the summit, calling for a clear roadmap to turn what he described as an “informal activation” of the clause into a structured and institutionalized EU mechanism.
Energy crisis and market impact
The summit, which was initially planned to focus on economic competitiveness, has instead been dominated by urgent discussions on energy security and geopolitical instability, as oil and gas prices surge.
Addressing the broader energy outlook, Mitsotakis stressed that this crisis will require coordinated action at both the national and European levels, as governments face mounting pressure from rising energy costs.
“The response must be both national and European,” he said. “Greece, within its fiscal limits, will do everything in its power to support households and the economy, but European-level responses will be necessary if high prices in natural gas and fuels persist.”
He added that protecting consumers — particularly the most vulnerable — as well as businesses must be a top priority, warning that prolonged energy price increases risk further undermining economic competitiveness across Europe.
Migration concerns resurface
The Greek prime minister also warned that the crisis could trigger new migration pressures, urging the EU to remain vigilant.
“The crisis must not lead Europe into a new migration crisis,” he said. “Europe cannot tolerate a repeat of 2015. We must be prepared for all scenarios and send a clear message that Europe will protect its external borders.”
According to reporting by Politico the EU leaders have already begun their discussions in Brussels, with the meeting getting underway later than planned. While officially scheduled to last two days, diplomats expect negotiations could conclude sooner, though possibly after a long night of talks.
