Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
In a period marked by significant geopolitical uncertainty, the NATO Summit in Ankara served as a pivotal platform for Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to articulate Greece firm position on regional security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and to reiterate its role as a cornerstone of the Atlantic Alliance.
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Opening his remarks, Prime Minister Mitsotakis underscored the complexity of the current climate. "We are meeting today in Ankara during a time of profound geopolitical uncertainty," the Prime Minister noted. He acknowledged the ongoing transatlantic dialogue regarding burden-sharing within NATO—a conversation that gained momentum during Donald Trump’s first term and has since evolved significantly.
A central pillar of the Prime Minister’s intervention was the demonstration of Greece’s unwavering commitment to the Alliance’s objectives. Mitsotakis, a vocal advocate for European strategic autonomy as a complement to—rather than a substitute for—NATO, highlighted Greece’s tangible contributions:
- Exceeding Benchmarks: For the current year, Greece has reached a defense spending level of 3.6% of its GDP, successfully surpassing the 3.5% milestone established at the previous summit in The Hague.
- Modernization Program: The Greek government is currently executing an ambitious $25 billion modernization program to upgrade the operational capabilities of its Armed Forces.
- A Top-Tier Ally: Through these investments, Greece has solidified its position within the top five NATO member states in terms of defense spending, serving as a dependable guardian of stability in the southeastern flank of the Alliance.
The most critical portion of the Prime Minister address concerned the fragile state of Greek-Turkish relations. Addressing the ongoing threat posed by the Turkish casus belli regarding the potential extension of Greece territorial waters, Mitsotakis was unequivocal:
"At a time when my country faces a casus belli from Turkey should we exercise our legal right to extend our territorial waters, it must be clear that the sensitivities of all NATO members must be taken into account," he stated. He emphasized that the Alliance must function on the fundamental principle of good neighborly relations. While refraining from commenting on the personal dynamics between global leaders, the Prime Minister insisted that outstanding regional issues must be resolved through diplomacy and international law rather than coercion.
Looking beyond the immediate bilateral tensions, the Prime Minister touched upon broader security concerns. He expressed cautious optimism regarding the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, emphasizing that the diplomatic process must be given the necessary space to succeed. Mitsotakis highlighted that for European governments, the cost of living remains a primary concern; thus, preventing a new escalation that could destabilize energy markets and spike oil prices is a collective priority for the Alliance.
Closing his intervention, Prime Minister Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece consistent policy towards Turkey. He noted that he has always been a proponent of improving bilateral relations, provided there is a foundation of mutual respect. His presence in Ankara and his active participation in the Summit underscored that while Greece will firmly defend its sovereign rights, it remains a steadfast supporter of constructive dialogue and the peaceful resolution of differences based on the rules-based international order.
Here is the text of the speech by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the NATO Summit in Ankara, presented as a continuous address:
The Speech of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the NATO Summit
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
"Ladies and gentlemen,
We meet here today in Ankara during a period of profound geopolitical uncertainty. Our discussion today takes place against the backdrop of the debate regarding burden-sharing within NATO, a topic with a long and multi-year history. I remind you that it was President Trump, during his first term, who—in his own characteristic way—raised the issue to European allies regarding the necessity of redefining the balance within the Alliance in favor of a more European approach to burden-sharing. This, indeed, has occurred to a significant extent in recent years.
I have always been a staunch supporter of the concept of European strategic autonomy—not as a competitor to NATO, but as a strong European pillar that will bolster the Alliance at every level. Last year, in The Hague, we reached critical decisions regarding defense spending milestones. I am pleased to announce that Greece is already meeting the target of 3.6% of GDP for defense spending as of this year, well ahead of the agreed-upon schedule. At the same time, we are implementing a program to modernize our Armed Forces, amounting to 25 billion euros.
Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, I will not comment on the recent statements made by President Trump and President Erdoğan. The only thing I can underscore is that an Alliance must be founded on the fundamental principle of good neighborly relations. At a time when my country faces a casus belli from Turkey should we exercise our legal right to extend our territorial waters, I believe it must be made clear that the sensitivities of all NATO members must be taken into account. We are a defensive alliance, and I am certain that these outstanding issues can be resolved in the spirit of international law and cooperation.
Concerning regional security, I express my optimism that the ceasefire between Iran and the United States will be maintained. It is of vital importance that we give diplomacy time to work. In an era where the cost of living remains the top priority for all European governments, we all hope that there will not be a new escalation of tensions that would lead to a resurgence in oil prices.
In closing, I would like to note that it is always a pleasure for me to visit Ankara. I have been, and remain, a staunch supporter of improving relations between our two countries. Greece pursues dialogue and peace, always on the basis of respect for our sovereignty and sovereign rights."
