Evros fence and inflation: “Difficult” demands from Greek PM in Brussels

The economy and immigration are the main topics of the summit (February 9-10) in Brussels, where Kyriakos Mitsotakis is going very early this morning. Nearly a year on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leaders are discussing the challenges for European businesses from inflation, as well as the stakes of refugee management.

However, the tragedy from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria is certain to be on the “27” table. Mitsotakis, as he announced in an interview with CNN, is expected to emphasize the need for continuous coordination, as Turkey will need help “also for the long-term consequences of the earthquake”.

At the same time, he will request the mobilization of every European tool and coordination at the international level for Syria. After all, the PMs associates said that Greece is ready at any time to send humanitarian or other aid to Syria through the European Civil Protection mechanism.

European money in the Euro

The portofolio of the Greek prime minister includes otherwise “difficult” demands, in which strong, opposing opinions appear to be clashing. Among them, Athens’ request for funding with European resources on the one hand for the aerial surveillance tools for monitoring sea borders on the other for the “artificial obstacles” – such as the Evros fence.

Athens has declared that the extension of the fence will proceed normally with national funds as long as there is no European “subsidy”. This does not mean that Mitsotakis in his contacts with his counterparts (as he recently did with the Italian Giorgia Meloni) but also with the European leadership does not continue to argue continuously for the need for unified support for actions that will allow the “barrier” to illegal crossings immigration and unscrupulous traffickers.

Besides, he will repeat Greece’s fixed position for practical solidarity with the countries on the front line for migration flows, asking for a “holistic approach” to the issue. With the aim, according to his colleagues, to have “a balance between solidarity and responsibility”.

“Greater Flexibility”

For the economy, in the midst of an inflationary and energy crisis, Athens is asking for “greater flexibility” in the use of European financial tools. What it wants, as Mitsotakis intends to say again, is to follow the positive… precedent of the pandemic period. This is a view shared by other countries, especially from the European South, such as Italy.

At the “27” table, today and tomorrow, the debate that first opened in Brussels last December regarding the European reaction to the American Inflation Reduction Act (Inflation Reduction Act) will continue. The consultations this time focus on the proposals tabled by the European Commission to strengthen European industry.

“No to actions that threaten inequalities” between member states is expected to be the cutting edge of Mitsotakis, who will insist on the request for more ambitious moves, in order to support businesses on their way to the green transition.