PM Mitsotakis Discusses EU Defense, Security at North-South Summit

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated in the informal North-South Summit held in Lapland, Finland, this weekend, December 22-23, following an invitation from his Finnish counterpart, Petteri Orpo. The summit, which brought together leaders from southern and northern Europe, focused on pressing issues surrounding European security, defense, preparedness, and migration.

Alongside Finnish Prime Minister Orpo, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Mitsotakis engaged in discussions on various challenges currently facing Europe, such us security, migration and defense spending.

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Finland’s PM Petteri Orpo, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni and Sweden’s PM Ulf Kristersson sit on a couch prior to Orpo’s North-South Summit in Saariselka, Finnish Lapland December 21, 2024. Lehtikuva/Antti Aimo-Koivisto via REUTERS

Arriving on Saturday, December 21, Mitsotakis described the meeting as an invaluable opportunity to share insights on the challenges in the Mediterranean while also learning from the Nordic countries’ experiences in managing their unique security concerns.

Asked by journalists about his message to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, Mitsotakis firmly stated, “We will continue to stand by Ukraine and support it unequivocally.” He added that while it is Ukraine’s prerogative to determine the timing of any discussions with Russia, it must approach such talks from a position of strength rather than weakness.

PM Mitsotakis’ Key Message

In a press conference following the summit, Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of understanding the challenges Finland faces, particularly in managing its borders with Russia. He acknowledged that Finland’s experiences in border security are valuable for broader European security discussions.

On the issue of migration, Mitsotakis reinforced the notion that border protection is a crucial component of the EU’s migration strategy. “Better management of these challenges must be a shared European responsibility,” he noted, echoing discussions held at the latest European Council.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attend a press conference of the North-South Summit in Saariselka, Finnish Lapland, December 22, 2024. Lehtikuva/Antti Aimo-Koivisto via REUTERS

Regarding defense, Mitsotakis stressed that “We need to take care of our own security priorities and that is actually the best way to strengthen the transatlantic relationship. It is clear that we need to spend more in defense but we also need to be smarter in terms of how we allocate these funds.”

Source: Tovima.com