As European Union leaders gather in Brussels to tackle pressing issues such as economic pressures, energy security, and the war in Ukraine, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to advocate for measures to alleviate rising energy costs. At the European Council summit on Thursday and Friday, Mitsotakis will push for targeted and temporary support aimed at households and businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, amidst escalating energy prices linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Mitsotakis will emphasize the importance of maintaining fiscal stability while advocating for improvements in cross-border energy connections and the completion of the EU’s internal energy market. Greece views the current energy crisis as a wake-up call for Europe to address competitiveness challenges and improve energy security, all while adhering to long-term climate commitments.
On the matter of the EU’s next long-term budget, Athens will resist further cuts in funding allocated for regional development and agriculture, arguing that emerging priorities such as defense, security, and innovation necessitate additional funding resources. Greece remains open to new EU revenue streams as long as they do not impose an undue burden on less-developed economies.
In addition to energy and economic issues, Mitsotakis is expected to support a merit-based approach to EU enlargement, opposing any attempts to tie membership negotiations to changes in the bloc’s decision-making procedures. Migration will also be a key topic, with Greece advocating for stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and a unified European response mechanism to address sudden increases in migration.