Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that Turkey’s accession to the EU’s SAFE defense program cannot proceed as long as Ankara maintains the casus belli against Greece and disputes the sovereignty of Greek islands. He made these comments following the informal EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Prime Minister said he had held meetings with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding the SAFE program.

As Mr. Mitsotakis pointed out, Rutte “asked me and I was clear: As long as Turkey keeps the casus belli on the table and disputes the sovereignty of islands, Greece will not consent to Turkey joining the program.”

Regarding EU defense at its southern borders—an issue directly affecting Greece—the Prime Minister said that at the next European Council (at the end of October), “we will have the opportunity to discuss the proposals submitted by the European Commission.”

He further stressed that “there is now the established understanding that Europe’s security cannot be confined to its eastern borders. The concept of security that covers both the eastern and southern borders is reflected in the Council’s decisions and is supported by other member states as well.”

He added that “any defense plan will include all of Europe’s borders, including our homeland,” and emphasized that “we are closer to the idea of a financial instrument for joint projects.”

In response to another question about drones, the Prime Minister stated: “Citizens should not think that, regardless of European initiatives, Greece does not take care of its own protection.”

When asked about António Costa’s proposal to move from unanimity to qualified majority voting, Mr. Mitsotakis said that “the issue was discussed and our position is clear: We will not agree to the elimination of unanimity at specific stages of the accession process.”

On illegal immigration, he noted that “Europe has changed its migration policy. We are stricter on border protection and are focusing on returns and dismantling the wretched networks of smugglers.”

“Our actions have shown results,” Mitsotakis added, noting that both Greek and European perseverance are needed to address the issue.

“Greece is not only on the front line, but it has also paved the way,” he concluded.