Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis focused on the pressure that rising fuel prices are placing on inflation and household budgets, making clear there are no “easy and magic solutions” and leaving open the possibility of new European interventions should the situation in the Middle East deteriorate again.

In joint statements with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, the Prime Minister stressed that rising inflation is not exclusively a Greek problem but is affecting European economies as a whole, since the fresh turmoil in energy markets quickly fed through into fuel prices.

“We have all ended up with higher inflation than we had estimated. It is an Austrian problem, a German problem and a Spanish problem. Why did this happen? Because fuel prices rose,” he said.

At the same time, Kyriakos Mitsotakis sought to temper expectations of blanket or cost-free interventions, stressing that “there are no easy and magic solutions.” He added, however, that Greece would continue to support society within the limits of its fiscal capacity, prioritising the most vulnerable.

In this context, he recalled the already-announced emergency subsidy of 10 cents per litre on diesel for August, as well as additional support measures worth around 800 million euros taken during 2026 to address the effects of the energy crisis.

The Prime Minister’s attention, however, also turned to Europe. Although he appeared cautiously optimistic about the temporary pause in hostilities, he warned that a fresh escalation could bring the question of joint measures to support households and businesses back onto the table.

“I hope and wish we won’t have to find ourselves at the European Council discussing emergency measures to support European societies and businesses, in case things get out of hand again,” he said.

The Prime Minister linked the country’s capacity to intervene to its fiscal position, pointing out that Greece is generating primary surpluses and reducing public debt faster than other OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. The message was clear: support where needed, but no return to policies.