Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Europe can stand alone on the side of EU countries under threat (video)
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent the message that Europe can stand alone on the side of EU countries under threat.
Speaking at the…
News Room
24 April 2026
The message that Europe can stand alone alongside EU that are under threat was sent by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
At the informal Summit of the European Council in Lefkosia, which opens its work today, the Greek Prime Minister recalled that “Greece and many other European countries stood by Cyprus when it was attacked, in the context of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran“, adding that this was the first practical proof that Europe alone can stand by countries of the European Union that are under threat.
He also stressed the need to activate the mutual assistance clause, “which essentially obliges member states to assist any member state under attack,” he said.
On another point, he stressed that the Greek government has actively stood by the side of Greek society, “always within the limits of our budgetary possibilities.” He acknowledged that Greek citizens are being tested by the prolonged crisis, noting that “we stand by their side, within the limits of our capabilities, without promising things we cannot do and without, under any circumstances, disturbing the fiscal balance, which is the foundation on which we are building all our other policies.”
The statement
The Prime Minister’s statement reads as follows:
“It is very important that the extraordinary European Council is being held at this juncture in Cyprus.
We had the opportunity yesterday to discuss how we can further enhance the concept of European strategic autonomy, but also the concept of European defence solidarity.
Greece and many other European countries stood by Cyprus when it was attacked in the context of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
I would say that this was the first practical proof that Europe alone can stand by countries of the European Union that are under threat.
For some time now I have been talking about the need for a substantial upgrading and activation of Article 42(1) of the EU Treaty. 7 of the European treaties, the mutual assistance clause, which essentially obliges member states to assist any member state that is under attack.
I think it is very important that this issue is now well and truly on the agenda of the European Council and Greece will certainly use the European presidency of the second half of 2027 to further enhance this debate.
We also have the opportunity today to discuss the new Multiannual Financial Framework, but also to make an assessment of the economic impact of the protracted conflict in the Gulf.
The Greek government has been actively on the side of Greek society, always within our fiscal possibilities. But the fact that we can produce surpluses, reduce our debt, move to high growth rates and at the same time support, as far as we can, Greek society, is an indication of the health of the Greek economy.
I know very well that the Greek citizens are being tested. They are being tested by the prolonged crisis of insecurity, on top of which the great economic uncertainty of this economic conflict has now been added.
We are standing by their side, to the extent that we can, without promising things that we cannot do and without, under any circumstances, disturbing the fiscal balance, which is the foundation on which we are building all our other policies.”
