Mitsotakis Responds to Criticism: Emphasizes Greece's Steadfast Stance on Turkey Relations and EU Security

In a forum appearance, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed criticisms without directly naming former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. Mitsotakis expressed skepticism about the potential for progress between Greece and Turkey regarding the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf.

Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece's firm stance in its relationship with Turkey, emphasizing that Greece will not entertain discussions beyond the current framework. He criticized attempts to portray his administration as less patriotic or overly accommodating to Turkey, calling such narratives a niche concern within Greek society.

He elaborated on recent Turkish-Greek relations, noting efforts for rapprochement following earthquakes in Turkey that led to positive developments, such as the absence of violations over the Aegean Sea for over 18 months and cooperative migration efforts. Despite meeting with Turkish President Erdogan several times to discuss the countries' differences, Mitsotakis remains doubtful about reaching an agreement on the EEZ and continental shelf soon.

The Prime Minister also addressed ongoing concerns about Turkey's increasing regional influence. He urged caution in interpreting Turkey's role, referencing historical instances where Turkish diplomacy aimed for a "zero problems" policy but faced challenges in neighborly relations.

Turning to broader geopolitical issues, Mitsotakis defended Europe's involvement in the Ukraine conflict, stressing the significance of the war on European soil. He highlighted that Greece's commitment to international law and border inviolability naturally involves it in the crisis. Moreover, he acknowledged the shifting dynamics in European security, emphasizing the need for the EU and NATO member states to take collective security responsibilities seriously, especially in light of past signals from former U.S. President Trump regarding European defense readiness.

Mitsotakis concluded by underscoring Greece's dedication to defense, as evidenced by the nation spending over 3% of its GDP on military expenditures.