Let me begin with developments in the Middle East. Greece welcomes the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, as well as any initiative that will help ease tensions in the region. We have always been advocates of a diplomatic solution to such issues.
At the moment, the top priority is the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and of course we are monitoring oil and natural gas prices very closely. We have already seen an initial significant easing of tensions, and it is the Greek government’s duty, as I have said, to ensure that the decline in crude oil prices is immediately reflected in lower prices for diesel and gasoline at the pump, thereby benefiting all Greek consumers.
Today, we will also have the opportunity to hold yet another discussion on the new Multiannual Financial Framework, the European Union’s budget. I have said many times that the ambitious goals we have set require equally ambitious financial instruments.
Greece, like many other countries, will fight to preserve the core of the two main European financial instruments, which are none other than the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy.
And, of course, at the same time, we will argue that the new Competitiveness Fund, which is intended to support European businesses in the face of global competition, must be distributed fairly so that it does not contribute to further economic disparities between strong and weaker economies.
Greece welcomes the fact that the budget for migration has been increased, but will continue to work to convince our partners that common financial instruments are needed to address the major challenges we face in the field of defense.
Defense is a European public good; it must be treated as such, and consequently, this objective can be achieved much more effectively if we can add to national capabilities a significant European financial instrument.
