Giannis Kantelis (SKAI): I would like to ask you about the two meetings you just had—we saw you with Mr. Merz and Mr. Rutte – and because you have been very vocal lately on the issue of the SAFE program, Turkey’s participation in the SAFE program, the Greek veto on such a possibility if the casus belli is not lifted. And I would like to ask you if you discussed this with them, given that Mr. Rutte has been very supportive of Turkey’s participation in Europe’s defense, and Germany has also expressed itself positively on several occasions.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Indeed, Mr. Kantelis, the NATO Secretary General asked me what Greece’s position is on this issue. I was absolutely clear and absolutely categorical: as long as Turkey continues to keep the issue of casus belli on the table, as long as Turkey continues to directly challenge the sovereignty of Greek islands through the theory of the “gray zones”, Greece will not agree to Turkey’s participation in the SAFE program.
I did not discuss this specific issue with the German Chancellor; we focused more on issues related to the next agenda of the European Council, and the need for Germany to play an important role in launching joint defense initiatives. Therefore, the issue was not discussed with the German Chancellor, but I was absolutely clear with Mr. Rutte about Greece’s position.
Sofia Fasoulaki (MEGA): Good evening, Mr. Prime Minister. You made a proposal at the informal European Council meeting, a position I would say, stating that “the defense projects for the Baltic countries are good, fine, and important, but equal importance should be given to the countries of the south, to the defense of the countries of the south.” I would like to ask how your counterparts viewed this proposal. How did Greece’s position sound to your counterparts? And if I may, how is the proposal you made with your Polish counterpart, Mr. Tusk, on the issue of the European air defense shield, progressing?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, at the next European Council we will have the opportunity to discuss the specific proposals that the European Commission will submit. It has already given us an initial indication in the text it released ahead of the extraordinary European Council meeting in Copenhagen.
I believe there is an understanding that Europe’s security cannot be limited solely to the major issue we currently face on our eastern European borders, due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
This concept of 360-degree European security, which will obviously cover Europe’s southeastern borders, but also Europe’s southern borders, is a concept that is reflected in the decisions of the European Council and obviously a concept that has also been supported by other countries in southern Europe, such as Italy, Spain, and Cyprus.
Therefore, I believe it is certain that any common European defense plan that is launched – and Greece has fought for such a plan to become a reality – will obviously include all of Europe’s external borders, and therefore our homeland as well.
Beyond that, I believe, as I have said many times, that we are closer than we were a year ago to the idea of a European financial instrument for joint defense, not procurement, but for common defense projects that will be of common European interest, but we have obviously not yet reached that point, no final decisions have been taken. But it is certain that countries that traditionally belonged to the ‘frugal’ category, such as Denmark, countries such as Finland, are much more open to a new financing instrument – beyond, I want to emphasize, the next European budget, the MFF-, which can be used for projects of common European interest, such as air defense or our defense against drones.
Spyros Mourelatos (AMNA and flash.gr): Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to ask about the proposal that António Costa seems to have put forward in the European dialogue on revising the methodology for enlargement, with the key point being the transition from the unanimity we have today, i.e. each country may have the right of veto, in special majorities. I would like to ask whether we as a country run the risk of losing our veto in a future discussion with Turkey, whether this issue was raised today, and what your response was.
This issue was discussed briefly yesterday, but not all countries were able to comment due to time constraints.
Greece’s position is absolutely clear: Greece will never agree to a lack of unanimity at distinct stages of the accession process.
Now, if for certain stages, such as, for example, the opening of a chapter, a special majority may be required, we would possibly be willing to discuss this. However, unanimity will certainly be required for the closure of chapters and, obviously, for the final decision on a country’s accession to the European Union.
Therefore, under no circumstances can Greece, or any other country, accept – and not only us, I think this is a position shared by many of my colleagues – the possibility of blocking the process at any time if it is deemed to be detrimental to either European or national interests.
Dimitris Gatsios (ERT): Good evening, Mr. Prime Minister. I would like to ask you about the daily life of Greek citizens. We have seen Eurostat data showing a significant decline in inflation in Greece. We are below the eurozone average, clearly well below the target set by the European Central Bank.
I would therefore like to ask you whether we are seeing a downward trend in inflationary pressures and whether there are pockets of inflation in any goods or services that are of particular concern to you.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: It is certainly encouraging that, for the first time, inflation in our country is significantly lower than the European average. It is something that I personally expected to happen at some point. Obviously, we cannot draw conclusions from just one month’s data, but I believe that we have seen the worst of inflation and this is certainly a positive development.
You know very well that the issue of the cost of living is our government’s top priority. That is why I presented in Thessaloniki a major program to support real wages for millions of our fellow citizens. But, obviously, any reduction in prices is part of the response we must provide.
I would also like to add that I was pleased to see electricity prices remain stable at low levels for the second consecutive month. I now believe that the interventions we have made in the electricity market in recent years are beginning to pay off for Greek consumers.
I am also eagerly awaiting the initiatives of the Ministry of Development, not only regarding the single consumer authority, which will be established immediately, but also initiatives for reduced prices on specific items, which have already been announced.
I believe that all these measures constitute a framework of interventions that show Greek citizens that we are listening to what they are telling us, namely that the accumulated cost of living, not inflation, the accumulated cost of living over recent years has greatly weakened real wage increases and that they are asking us to do something substantial about it.
Furthermore, I reiterate that the entire rationale behind the Thessaloniki program, as I presented it, aims to tackle inflation through real wage increases, which our fellow citizens will see from the beginning of January.
Until then, of course, and let me conclude with this, I would like to remind you that in November, those who rent a house will get back one month’s rent – we are essentially talking about an 8% reduction in annual rent -, a measure that will be institutionalized and will apply from now on.
And, of course, our low-income pensioners will now know that every November, on a regular basis and not as a one-off, they will receive €250 as a small, supplementary allowance for the holiday season.
Isaac Karipidis (ANT1): I would like to ask you about the migration issue. If I am not mistaken, you participated in a roundtable discussion. Do our European partners, who are now facing the same acute problem as we are, share our long-standing positions? Did you say anything that could provide solutions or, in any case, improve the situation?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Europe has changed its migration policy in recent years, largely as a result of systematic work carried out by our country.
We are now much stricter as Europe in guarding our external borders, we place much greater emphasis on returns, and I believe that our European partners support the initiatives of the Greek government – I would say that we are ahead of many European countries -, which are operating on a very simple logic: if you come to our country illegally and are not entitled to asylum, then you will be deprived of your freedom and returned to the country from which you came. If, on the other hand, you are entitled to asylum, then Greece will obviously grant it with humanity and sensitivity, and in that case you will be able to remain in our country.
However, at the same time, Greece will continue to work at all levels to eradicate the despicable networks of traffickers who exploit human suffering, whether they are in the eastern Aegean or in the southern Mediterranean, in the waters between Crete and Libya.
I am satisfied because the very strict stance adopted by our government with the temporary suspension of asylum, as well as our contacts with eastern Libya, seem to have yielded results. We have seen a significant reduction in flows recently. But obviously, not only Greek but also European persistence is needed, so that we can tackle the problem at its root.
Isaac Karipidis: I am asking you about this European persistence. Do Europeans now share the view of how important it is…?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Absolutely. And I think they understand that Greece is not only at the forefront, but has also paved the way for many of the policies that are now being implemented at the European level.
Maria Aroni (OPEN): Since it seems that priority is being given to this joint defense project for the “drone wall”, due to recent airspace violations, I heard yesterday that the Italian Prime Minister expressed some concerns that the southern borders should not be left out, as you also mentioned. Are you concerned that this project may exclude southern countries and give priority only to the so-called “frontline” neighbouring countries?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Two comments: if there is a European program, it will certainly be covered jointly.
Second observation: Greek citizens should not think that, regardless of European priorities, Greece is not taking steps to protect itself against such risks. To put it simply, we have already done so.
Maria Aroni: As far as coordination is concerned, there seems to be disagreement about who will coordinate this project.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: We’re not there yet, thank you very much.
Journalist: Mr Prime Minister, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline marks five years anniversary this year, which covers 18% of Greek gas consumption. How do you assess the contribution of Azerbaijan to Greek energy security and is Greece ready to support further expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor in order to supply more gas?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, I had the opportunity to discuss this topic with President Aliyev also when we met at the United Nations General Assembly. We are very happy about the fact that Azerbaijan is contributing to our energy security through piped gas and we are looking, not just as Greece, but as Europe, at further opportunities to expand this degree of cooperation.
At the same time, Greece is also looking to expand its capacity to import liquified natural gas. We have done so, but we consider Azerbaijan a long-term and trustworthy and reliable energy supplier to Greece.
