Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Trump's Election Motivates Europe to Take Action and Seek Mutually Beneficial Solutions

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that Donald Trump's election to the U.S. presidency has provided Europe with the necessary motivation to shift from words to actions.

Mitsotakis emphasized that Europe’s actions are not meant to oppose the U.S. but to seek mutually beneficial solutions. He made these remarks during an event hosted by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening.

The event, titled “The Future of Europe in a Fast-Changing World: Leadership & Global Challenges,” featured Mitsotakis and Enrico Letta, the president of the Jacques Delors Institute and former prime minister of Italy. The fireside chat and dinner were moderated by Katerina Panagopoulou, a journalist with Mega TV, and took place at a hotel in Vouliagmeni.

Mitsotakis also addressed the issue of European defence, emphasizing the need for more substantial measures to protect the continent. He urged that Europe take further steps to shield itself, stating, “As Europeans, we must do more to shield our continent.”

When asked about Greek-American relations, the Greek prime minister reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral ties, highlighting that relations between Greece and the U.S. have never been better. Mitsotakis noted the long-standing five-year defence cooperation agreement and the expanding cooperation across various sectors, including technology, education, and culture. He expressed confidence that this positive relationship would not change. Still, he emphasized the need for Europe to approach these relations from a unified perspective, particularly in light of the new American government.

On the topic of defence spending, Mitsotakis supported former President Trump’s stance that European allies must take on greater responsibility for defence expenditures. He expressed confidence that European nations would agree to increase their defence budgets, although he doubted that the 5% GDP threshold proposed by Trump would be met. Mitsotakis also pointed out that Europe must secure more fiscal space for defence investments and additional European funding. He mentioned the success of the EU’s Recovery Fund during the pandemic and highlighted the critical geopolitical moment Europe is facing. He expects discussions on these issues to begin in a coordinated manner at the informal EU leaders’ summit on February 3.

Regarding social issues, Mitsotakis responded to a question about Trump’s positions on the "woke agenda" by stating that Europe does not face the same challenges in this regard. He reiterated that stability, as demonstrated in Greece under the current centre-right government, is a priority for his administration. Mitsotakis also ruled out any potential collaboration with parties further right than his New Democracy party.

In conclusion, Mitsotakis emphasized the need for Europe to play a constructive role on the global stage and expressed his belief that it is time for bold initiatives.