An Extraordinary EU Summit, exclusively for European Defense, will be held on February 3 of the new year, following a proposal by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as revealed by the Prime Minister himself, in his statements after the conclusion of the Summit in Brussels.

Regarding European defense, he stressed that Europe must awaken politically and EU countries must assume responsibility for organizing their defense.

“Greece’s positions are known and I do not need to repeat them. The enormous geopolitical tension we are facing also requires a political awakening that can move at many different levels, and the mobilization of European resources is also required, as I have written and explained many times, a European defense fund,” the Prime Minister noted characteristically.

Asked about the provocations of the Skopje Prime Minister, Hristijan Mitskoski, who insists on speaking of “Macedonia” and “Macedonians”, Mr. Mitsotakis replied: “In front of me at the EPP meeting, Mr. Hristijan Mitskoski used the name provided for by the Prespa Agreement, namely North Macedonia.”

And he added: “The faithful implementation of the agreement is the only way to open the European path of the neighboring country.”

Regarding developments in the Middle East and migration, he also said that the stabilization of Syria is of great importance for all of Europe and for the return of refugees. “We must all look forward to an inclusive path, so that mistakes made in Iran and Libya are not made,” he noted, among other things.

“On the issue of the return of Syrian refugees, the first thing we must investigate is whether there is a willingness for voluntary returns and at the same time to support the structures and those of the UN so that these people will ensure that when they return, their basic needs are met. Of course, as you know, Greece has suspended decisions to grant asylum to Syrians who are in our homeland for a simple reason: Because as a rule, these decisions had a basic justification because the asylum seeker was seeking protection and that was because he was in danger from the Assad regime that no longer exists. We are waiting to see how the situation will develop. Obviously, Syria has not evolved into a safe country from one moment to the next,” he added.

Regarding the situation in Syria, Turkey’s benefits and what Greece has to gain, Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted: “We have a role in the region and I insist that we all must look forward to a Syria that will not follow the path of other countries that have gone through phases of removal of despotic leaders. There will be no mistakes like Iraq or Libya.”

“In the view of Greece and the EU, the Turkish-Libyan memorandum is illegal and invalid. Obviously, both I and President Christodoulides informed our counterparts about these discussions that are coming to light, that some kind of EEZ could be determined between Turkey and Syria, which would disregard the indisputable sovereign rights of Cyprus. So there was an update on something that at this level until today is moving in the circle of journalistic information,” said the Prime Minister, adding: “There can be no possibility of any agreement between Turkey and Syria that violates the rights of Cyprus.”

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Mr. Mitsotakis stressed that the European Union’s stance remains firm. “We continue to support Ukraine not only militarily, but also economically, because we want to give Ukraine the opportunity to negotiate a possible peace with Russia on its own terms and at the time it chooses, but not in conditions of weakness.”

“I do not know what the policy of the American president will be. Beyond that, what I know is that the conclusions of the European Council reflect that the EU’s position on this issue has not changed,” he added.