Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned that while the European Union is taking "significant steps" toward a common defense policy, the idea of a shared funding mechanism to pay for it is "not yet ripe."
Speaking after an E.U. summit in Brussels, Mr. Mitsotakis welcomed progress on initiatives like the E.U.'s SAFE program, which encourages joint defense partnerships and procurement.
He noted that proposals long championed by Greece, such as a European missile defense shield and stronger anti-drone protections, are now included as flagship projects in the bloc's roadmap.
However, Mr. Mitsotakis acknowledged that the financial instruments needed to support such large-scale projects, beyond individual national budgets, remain undeveloped.
"The idea of a common European defense fund for shared projects is not yet ripe," he said. "I will continue advocating for this proposal… because it addresses a genuine European need, and I believe its time will come.”
The prime minister stressed that any European defense project must cover the entire continent, including its southern and southeastern borders, not just the eastern frontier.
He also reaffirmed Greece's position that Turkey does not meet the criteria to participate in the SAFE program due to its ongoing threat of war against Greece.