At the MED9 summit in Slovenia, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a strong geopolitical message, emphasizing that future threats to Europe are not coming only from the East but also from the South. He stressed that the EU must have the full capacity to protect member states located at its external borders, highlighting the priority for a European missile defense system and a 360-degree common defense strategy.
“The integrity of European borders must be fully protected,” Mitsotakis stated, stressing that Europe needs to act collectively to face challenges, whether from revisionist powers in the East or the unstable southern periphery, including North Africa and Mediterranean hotspots.
On the energy front, the Prime Minister pointed out that Southeast Europe is facing higher energy prices, making it urgent to complete the common European energy market through investments and interconnections. “Greater integration of the energy market will be a top priority,” he said, noting that strategic security and regional economic stability depend on common European measures.
From a geopolitical perspective, Mitsotakis’ intervention highlights three critical points:
- Multidimensional Threats: Europe no longer faces one-dimensional challenges. Both the Eastern flank (Russia, Ukraine) and the southern periphery (Middle East, Africa) require a coordinated and comprehensive strategic response.
- Strengthening Common Defense: References to the missile shield and joint projects signal the need for a unified European defense approach, transcending individual national interests.
- Energy Autonomy: Completing the energy market and infrastructure serves as a strategic security tool, as the energy crisis can quickly translate into geopolitical pressure on EU member states, especially at the external borders.
Mitsotakis’ MED9 statements are not just diplomatic remarks but a strategic warning: Europe must act united, defensively, and energetically, or threats from East and South will become reality. Greece’s leadership in the EU appears to be aiming for geopolitical prominence through coordinated European defense and energy strategy, placing the country at the center of a crucial strategic dialogue.
Source: pagenews.gr