Mitsotakis pushes for defense spending flexibility, stricter migration returns at EU Summit

10:34 21/3/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is advocating for increased European defense spending flexibility, stricter migration return policies, and progress on the Cyprus issue.

Addressing reporters upon arrival in Brussels, Mr. Mitsotakis expressed satisfaction with the recent Geneva meeting on Cyprus,

highlighting the joint efforts of Greece and Cyprus to maintain dialogue on reunification within UN frameworks. He welcomed the UN Secretary-General’s appointment of a special envoy and the setting of new negotiation deliverables.

On European defense, Mr. Mitsotakis praised the EU’s White Paper, particularly the inclusion of fiscal flexibility for member states to increase defense investments and the creation of a €150 billion European defense fund. He emphasized that this would strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy and ease financial burdens.

Regarding migration, Mr. Mitsotakis outlined Greece’s stance on the proposed return regulation, stressing the need for both border protection and the swift return of those denied asylum. He expressed anticipation for the EU's updated list of safe countries of origin, which he said would expedite return procedures.

"The new approach is clear: anyone entering the country illegally and not granted asylum should be returned to the country from which they came," Mr. Mitsotakis said, revealing a new directive to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum’s leadership. He emphasized the need for European tools to support this effort.

In a press conference later, Mr. Mitsotakis expressed optimism for the swift activation of the defense spending escape clause, hoping it would take effect in 2025. He also defended the government's stance on judicial reform and voiced concern over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, reiterating the importance of political freedoms. He clarified that no meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been scheduled.

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr

Διαβάστε ολόκληρο το άρθρο >>
Keywords
greek, european, cyprus, issue, brussels, joint, white, member, creation, fund, swift, asylum, list, origin, tools, support, press, escape, effect, istanbul, turkish, president, recep, erdogan, iefimerida, iefimerida, origin, cyprus, asylum, brussels, white, effect, erdogan, escape, fund, creation, joint, istanbul, issue, list, member, press, president, recep, support, swift, tools, turkish, european
Τυχαία Θέματα
παιχνιδια ξλ, jcb, μυστικο, νησιωτικα, ρικα διαλυνα
iNews > Ειδήσεις > iEfimerida