At the upcoming European Council summit in Brussels, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will advocate for measures to alleviate rising energy costs impacting households and businesses. The summit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, will focus on economic pressures, energy security, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Mitsotakis is expected to propose targeted and temporary support, particularly aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises, as Europe faces energy price surges linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. He will emphasize the importance of maintaining fiscal stability, enhancing cross-border energy connections, and completing the EU’s internal energy market. Greece views the current energy crisis as a signal of Europe’s competitiveness challenges and the necessity to bolster energy security while adhering to climate commitments.
Regarding the EU’s next long-term budget, Greece will oppose further cuts in funding for regional development and agriculture. The Greek government argues that increased priorities such as defense, security, and innovation necessitate additional resources. Athens is open to exploring new sources of EU revenue, provided these do not disproportionately impact less-developed economies.
Additionally, Mitsotakis is anticipated to support a merit-based approach to EU enlargement, while opposing efforts to link membership negotiations with changes in the bloc’s decision-making procedures. Migration will also be a key topic, with Greece pushing for stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and advocating for a common European mechanism to address sudden migration surges.