Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will urge European Union leaders to implement measures that alleviate escalating energy costs during the European Council summit in Brussels this Thursday and Friday. The summit’s agenda includes discussions on economic pressures, energy security, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Mitsotakis plans to propose targeted, temporary support for households and businesses, particularly focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises affected by rising energy prices linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, he will emphasize the necessity of maintaining fiscal stability, enhancing cross-border energy connections, and finalizing the EU’s internal energy market. Greece views the current energy crisis as a signal of Europe’s competitiveness challenges and underscores the importance of bolstering energy security while adhering to long-term climate commitments.
Concerning the EU’s upcoming long-term budget, Greece intends to resist further reductions in funding for regional development and agriculture. The Greek government argues that emerging priorities such as defense, security, and innovation warrant increased financial resources. Athens is also open to exploring new sources of EU revenue, provided they don’t disproportionately impact less-developed economies.
Mitsotakis is expected to favor a merit-based approach to EU enlargement and will oppose any attempts to tie membership negotiations to changes in the bloc’s decision-making processes. Migration is another priority for Greece, with the country advocating for stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and the establishment of a common European mechanism to address sudden surges in migration.