Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to propose measures to alleviate rising energy costs at the upcoming European Council summit in Brussels. The summit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, will see European Union leaders discuss key issues such as economic pressures, energy security, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Mitsotakis plans to advocate for targeted and temporary support aimed at easing the financial burden on households and businesses, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. The rising energy prices have been linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and Greece sees this as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of fiscal stability, the enhancement of cross-border energy connections, and the completion of the EU’s internal energy market.
The Greek government views the current energy crisis as a reflection of Europe’s competitiveness challenges and underscores the need to bolster energy security while adhering to long-term climate commitments. On the subject of the EU’s next long-term budget, Athens is expected to resist further cuts in funding for regional development and agriculture, arguing that additional resources are necessary to address growing priorities such as defense, security, and innovation.
Greece is also open to exploring new sources of EU revenue, provided these do not disproportionately affect less-developed economies. Furthermore, Mitsotakis is anticipated to support a merit-based approach to EU enlargement, while opposing any attempts to link membership negotiations to changes in the bloc’s decision-making procedures.
Migration is another significant agenda item for Greece, which will be advocating for stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and the establishment of a common European mechanism to respond effectively to sudden increases in migration.