Arriving at the 4th Summit of the European Political Community in London, Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed his hope that Ursula von der Leyen would be re-elected as President of the European Commission in today’s vote. “It is very important to have stability, continuity, and experience,” Mr. Mitsotakis noted.
Referring to the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the Prime Minister emphasized that “Cyprus is the last divided area, and I hope that the Cyprus issue will be resolved and that the discussions between the two communities will continue under the auspices of the UN, always in the spirit of the UN Security Council decisions.”
Returning to the election of von der Leyen, the Greek Prime Minister stated that “the agenda she has set for competitiveness, common defense, and migration are issues that will be discussed today.”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also mentioned the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, wishing him “all the best in his new duties” and adding that “I appreciate that he will work for constructive cooperation between the EU and Britain.”
When asked about the migration issue, the Prime Minister noted, “I know that the EU has focused on the issue of protecting external borders, and I think that is the right priority.” He also reminded that “we have adopted the migration pact, which is important,” emphasizing that “we must also work with the countries of origin to reduce illegal migration. Greece has cooperated constructively with Turkey to ensure that traffickers do not decide who enters the EU, but sovereign states.”
All of Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statement
First of all, I would like to express my joy to be in this wonderful location. This is the first international meeting organized by the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Allow me to wish Sir Keir Starmer every success. I hope he will work for a more constructive relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
While we are meeting here today, a very important vote is taking place in Strasbourg. I hope Ursula von der Leyen will be re-elected as President of the European Commission. I believe it is important in these difficult times to have continuity, stability, and experience at the helm of the European Commission. The agenda she presented regarding the priorities of the European Union, issues concerning competitiveness, common European defense, the protection of our European way of life, and addressing migration issues, are also important topics to be discussed today in the European Political Community, as they concern all European countries.
One last point. In two days, on July 20, we will mark 50 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which led to the occupation of one-third of the island. It is the last divided European territory. I hope that this issue will finally be resolved and that discussions between the two communities will continue under the auspices of the United Nations, always in line with the Security Council resolutions that set the framework for resolving this long-standing problem.
Journalist: What needs to be done regarding the migration issue?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: As you know, the European Union has focused much more on the issue of protecting the Union’s external borders. I believe this is the right priority. We have legislated, as you know, the European Asylum and Migration Pact, which represents significant progress in addressing this problem at the European level. However, we must also cooperate with the countries of origin, with the transit countries, to reduce illegal migration and focus more on legal migration routes.
Greece, for example, has a constructive cooperation with Turkey to ensure that it is not the traffickers who decide who enters the European Union, but the sovereign states that have the ultimate responsibility for making these decisions.
Journalist: Mr. Prime Minister, how easy would it be to reach an agreement (inaudible)?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, this is the first international meeting organized by the new British Prime Minister, and I want to wish him every success. I hope that the United Kingdom will focus on a more constructive relationship with the European Union. There is much to discuss with the new Prime Minister, and I also hope to have a bilateral meeting with him.
Journalist: Are you expecting a new migration agreement in the coming months?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: We will see.
Journalist: What would you like regarding this?
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: We will see. I believe there is much to discuss. Thank you.
