Nadin Chardalia (SKAI TV): Good evening, Mr. Prime Minister. I would like you to give us, if possible, an overview of what you discussed at this morning’s informal meeting on migration, specifically regarding Libya, an issue you have raised, how, for example, the European Union could cooperate with Libya, and whether specific ideas were discussed.
And a second, related question: whether you discussed any measures at the European Council in the event that the Libyan authorities refuse to cooperate in reducing the flows.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, it is extremely positive that the issue of Libya was discussed this morning at the informal meeting of countries that share the same views on migration, as well as during the Summit. My Italian counterpart and I had the opportunity to inform our colleagues about the significant increase in migratory flows and about this new route that seems to be opening up between eastern Libya and Crete.
Of course, it is also a positive fact that the European Commission has recognized the danger of this situation becoming consolidated and seems willing to take action. The Commissioner for Migration will visit Libya in early July -I believe shortly after the visit of the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs- together with his counterparts from Greece, Italy, and Malta, will visit both eastern and western Libya to convey the message that this practice cannot continue and to ensure that he does everything in his power to secure, I would say, the cooperation of the Libyan authorities, so that there is much better surveillance of Libya’s maritime borders.
At the same time, as you know, Greece has acted independently, sending some ships outside Libyan territorial waters so that we can have a better picture of what is happening on the ground and, whenever small boats or vessels are spotted, we can at least attempt to communicate with the Libyan authorities so that they can be intercepted by the Libyan authorities themselves within Libyan territorial waters and returned to Libya.
We will, therefore, use all the measures at our disposal, both as Greece and as Europe, “the carrot-and-stick approach”, to put it more colloquially, in order to ensure that this new path does not become established.
And, of course, one last thing: a significant proportion of those who use this route are Egyptian citizens. They should be returned immediately to Egypt, and this should be a common European policy. And I think that the message will also be conveyed to Egypt, to accept the return of its citizens who end up in Europe without being entitled to asylum, as Egypt is considered a safe country.
Alexandra Voudouri (Kathimerini): Mr. Prime Minister, apart from the two financial instruments offered to strengthen European defense, do you believe that at some point the discussion will also open up to joint borrowing? And as far as the SAFE defence loan mechanism is concerned, is Greece interested? Thank you very much.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: I hope so, that is the answer to your question. It is positive that countries which in the past were classified as “frugal,” such as Denmark and Finland, recognize the need for more defense spending and agree that this spending may need to be financed by a European instrument.
Beyond that, to turn back the clock a little, Greece was one of the first countries to insist on a relative relaxation of fiscal rules so that additional defense spending would be excluded from excessive deficit rules. This is something we achieved, which is why our country has already activated the national escape clause.
SAFE is a financial tool, and we are examining whether it could be useful in our country. I would remind you that SAFE is a tool that encourages joint procurement among European countries, and I think it is something that we could potentially make use of. We are awaiting the final proposals from the Ministry of National Defense.
I would like to say one last thing about financial instruments, because I have seen a lot of discussion in Greece about which third countries may or may not have access to these instruments. If you look at the conclusions of the European Council, as published this morning, as we received them and as they stand now, you will see that there has been one change in the conclusions. Just one.
And this change is very important for Greece, because it clearly states, if I am not mistaken in paragraph 21, that cooperation with third countries is conditional on their unanimity, but also, and this is a very important parameter that we have added, that these countries share the objectives of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.
It is yet another confirmation, I would say, in our institutional “arsenal” now, at the level of European Council decisions, that countries wishing to participate in these financial instruments cannot, for example, have a very low level of compliance with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Nikos Armenis (AMNA – MEGA TV): Mr. Prime Minister, the reference we wanted regarding the Turkish-Libyan memorandum has been included in the conclusions. The question is, what effect might this have, given that Libya and Turkey want to conduct research in the area and say they will do so? I would also like to ask you, in view of the Foreign Minister’s visit to Libya, what can we expect next in Greek-Libyan relations?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, Mr. Armenis, it is positive that, at Greece’s request, the old wording characterizing the Turkish-Libyan memorandum as unfounded and illegal has been reinstated. It is important that this is done at this juncture, so that we send a clear message to Libya that we do not accept, not as Greece, not as Europe, any such fait accompli.
But I must tell you, Mr. Armenis, because I am hearing criticism again in Greece, which I would say is rather superficial and unfounded, that when a country exercises its sovereign rights in the field, as Greece did, not in theory, but in practice, essentially declaring offshore blocks and granting drilling licenses south of Crete, it is logical that there may be some reactions.
However, without having yet seen the details of what has been announced, at first glance it appears that the offshore blocks that have been announced respect the middle line, and I think that this is a positive development.
In any case, the invitation towards Libya -towards whichever Libyan authority is in a position to conduct such negotiations, I doubt that this can be done until Libya has a unified government- to delimit maritime zones with Libya, remains fully valid.
And one last thing: our country had the opportunity to establish such boundaries in the past. It did not do so. Let those who held office and had these responsibilities in the past remember this.
On the contrary, we are the ones who delimited the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf with Egypt and Italy and who exercise our sovereign rights in the field.
Georgia Skitzi (ERT): Mr. Prime Minister, how did the European Council assess the latest developments in the Middle East? And since you personally insist on a diplomatic solution between Israel and Iran, I would like to ask how Europe can contribute effectively, if you will, in this direction?
And finally, Mr. Prime Minister, because you raised the issue of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at NATO, why is there apparently no decision by the 27 on this?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, we believe in diplomacy and we call on all parties involved to negotiate the future of Iran’s nuclear program in a way that will ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. I think this is something that unites all my colleagues, and not only them. But the solution, again, we stress this, must be diplomatic and not military.
Greece has once again raised the issue of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. What you are saying is not right. The conclusions include, I would say, an urgent request to finally end Israel’s operation in Gaza, so that innocent Palestinians do not have to pay the price. This must, of course, be combined with the release of the hostages who are still alive. And I think that now is the time to exert maximum pressure on Israel to take such a step.
Maria Psara (STAR TV): Mr. Prime Minister, let me take you back a little to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and OPEKEPE, and I would like to ask you whether the government and New Democracy will continue the “tradition” of the Triantopoulos and Karamanlis model, or whether you are leaning towards conducting an inquiry this time, given that there are discussions among MPs from other parties, not just New Democracy.
And, also, various details are coming to light regarding deputy ministers and members of parliament who requested favors from OPEKEPE. Do you believe that this is a political issue and a matter of ethics?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Ms. Psara, I do not often comment on domestic issues when I am abroad. I was at the Summit all day without access to my phone, so I have not been fully informed about the contents of the case file. I will do so very soon, and when I have made my decisions, you will be informed.
