Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro made joint statements from the Maximos Mansion following the conclusion of their private meeting.

“Today is the first very difficult day, according to the Risk Index for the occurrence of forest fires, and I would like once again to express my thanks to everyone who is on the front line: our firefighters, the men and women of the Armed Forces, local government officials, and everyone who, every summer, fights this very difficult battle against forest fires,” the Greek Prime Minister said at the beginning of his remarks.

Mitsotakis on the multiannual financial framework

“We have very important decisions ahead of us and very difficult negotiations. At the same time, our country is preparing to assume the presidency of the Council in one year from now — in less than a year, actually. And, of course, the critical negotiations on the multiannual financial framework were at the centre of our discussion.

There is no doubt that Europe is facing a new reality. It is called upon to strengthen its defence, accelerate action on the digital transition, protect its external borders, and also defend its competitiveness,” the Prime Minister stressed.

He added:

“All these challenges require corresponding funding. We cannot have a budget based on yesterday’s needs. We need a bold approach that matches our expectations. Europe cannot do more with less.

If it wants to meet these demands, we must ensure that we have the necessary means, while at the same time maintaining strong — and I believe this is a shared position — the pillars of cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy.

The discussion must now move forward with courage and ambition.”

On the Middle East

“We are all concerned about the recent escalation, which unfortunately appears to be having negative effects on oil prices and could inevitably also lead to inflationary pressures on our economy.”

The visit will conclude with a working lunch, during which the two prime ministers are expected to continue their discussions on deepening cooperation between Greece and Portugal, both at a bilateral level and within the framework of the European Union.