“I welcome you with pleasure to Greece, at a time that could not be more appropriate, as your presence coincides with the inauguration of the Europa Experience,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday in his statements after his meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
He stressed that such projects are crucial at a time when the voices of populists from the right and left are heard very loudly, and I think that at this juncture it is very important to educate our young people in particular because the Union contributes to peace and prosperity of our continent.
He underlined that he discussed in detail with Metsola in view of Greece’s assumption of the presidency of the Council in the second half of 2027.
“What we first agree on is that complex challenges require immediate, brave and dynamic responses. Especially when the very fluid international situation requires Europe to mature geopolitically. To make strategic choices that will be crucial not only for the well-being of its peoples, but also for their security. But also to strengthen relations between the member states,” the Prime Minister noted.
The developments in Ukraine were also discussed, as he said, while they reiterated the need to provide substantial support to the defending Ukrainians. In this direction, very important energy agreements with President Zelensky were signed in the previous days.
“The goal cannot be other than a just and sustainable peace,” Mitsotakis stressed, pointing out that it must also be a peace compatible with the security interests of European states. “Europe must be present not with words but with actions,” he added.
He also said that they spoke a lot about the issues of European competitiveness. “We agree in principle on the need to implement the proposals of the Draghi and Letta reports, as well as the demand for a truly integrated single market that will offer substantial growth opportunities to all businesses from all Member States.” He made special mention of the need for an energy union so that we can finally obtain convergent low energy prices across Europe.
The statements were preceded by a private meeting between the Prime Minister and the President of the European Parliament.
Metsola: The European Union stands united and strong
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, in her joint statements with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday, stressed that she is meeting with the Greek Prime Minister at a critical time and it is very important “that we stand united and strong as the European Union.”
She agreed with the Prime Minister that Greece has proven to be the most reliable partner, noting that our country has set the tone in the EU, with unemployment falling from 27% to below 10%, the lowest in over a decade, jobs returning, investments are huge, growth is accelerating from 2021 and as she said, Greece’s economy is growing faster than other EU countries.
Referring to the war in Ukraine, she expressed her optimism and determination to help the EU end this war, saying that “we are discussing a plan of possibilities that we will follow and we have made significant steps forward.”
She also stressed that the European Parliament has always been clear that any agreement must be lasting and fair, with Ukraine at the negotiating table, and must be fully based on the principle that “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
She thanked Mitsotakis for his continued support to Ukraine by providing liquefied natural gas, which – as she said – not only offers an important lifeline to Ukrainians facing winter, but also “strengthens our transatlantic cooperation.”
Referring to migration, she said that our country has been at the forefront of the effort to address the migration issue and has transferred a part of the migration to Europe, and spoke of necessary relief for countries facing problems with migration, with the new solidarity fund that is currently underway. She pointed out that migration is at the top of the priorities in the European Parliament, which – as she said – is working hard to quickly complete pending issues, speed up asylum procedures, increase returns, and listen to Greece’s experience and expertise to continue to guide the European Parliament’s approach forward.
