Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to call for lower energy prices and targeted, temporary support measures for households and businesses — with particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises — at the October European Council Summit. The prime minister had already signaled his intentions during a visit to Larissa, where he outlined the issues he plans to raise at the European negotiating table.
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Kyriakos Mitsotakis: What he will demand on rising energy costs
According to government sources, the prime minister will stress that Europe is facing a new energy crisis, driven by international uncertainty and growing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. These developments make it essential to find solutions to address the surge in energy costs. The Greek side is expected to underline that, with a difficult winter ahead, targeted interventions are needed to shield households and businesses from the impact of rising prices — without jeopardizing fiscal stability and sustainability, as markets continue to show signs of nervousness.
The European Council agenda also includes European economic competitiveness, negotiations on the new EU budget, EU enlargement, and the latest developments in Ukraine.
Energy crisis and competitiveness take center stage
Government sources indicate that Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to reiterate the importance of completing the European Energy Market and strengthening energy interconnections, while also stressing that the current situation calls for medium-term measures as well. The prime minister will argue that, although the green transition remains a long-term goal, Europe must reassess its approach to energy security and adapt its policy to the new reality.
According to the same sources, European climate policy was designed during a period of relatively low energy costs — a situation that has fundamentally changed. In this context, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to raise the question of whether Europe can simultaneously manage soaring industrial energy costs, meet the demands of the green transition, and maintain fiscal stability under conditions of high inflation.
The Greek side also believes that the new energy crisis further exposes the competitiveness gap in the European economy, as well as the urgent need to reduce the EU’s critical strategic dependencies. The prime minister is expected to push for the implementation of the proposals contained in the Letta and Draghi reports, while noting that progress on European regulatory simplification initiatives remains insufficient.
Among the issues he plans to raise is the so-called “28th regime”, on which, according to government sources, the required progress has not yet been made.
Greece’s positions on the EU budget and migration
Athens also attaches particular importance to discussions on the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework, which are continuing on the basis of the revised negotiating framework prepared by the Irish Presidency.
According to government sources, Greece’s position is clear: the European Union’s increased ambitions cannot be served with fewer resources. Greece supports an ambitious EU budget capable of meeting the Union’s new priorities — such as defense, security, research, and innovation. However, Athens makes clear that these new priorities cannot be funded at the expense of Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
As the same sources emphasize, Greece will not accept further cuts in these areas, but remains open to discussions on a new package of EU own resources.
The Greek side has already submitted relevant proposals, with the key condition that the distribution of costs must not create disproportionate burdens for less developed economies.
On the question of European Union enlargement, government sources note that Greece continues to view it as a strategic investment in Europe’s security and stability. At the same time, Athens insists that each candidate country’s progress must be strictly merit-based.
Greece does not support changing the EU’s decision-making process, and considers internal reforms and enlargement to be two separate processes that should not be bundled together as a single package. According to the government briefing, the relevant European Commission proposal requires careful study rather than rushed decisions.
Finally, on migration, the Greek side is expected to reiterate the importance of protecting the European Union’s external borders.
Government sources note that Greece was among the first member states to champion this priority, and has expressed satisfaction at the European Commission’s support for the Greek proposal to establish a European mechanism for managing emergency situations involving mass migration flows or the weaponization of migration pressure.
The Evros crisis of 2020 is cited as a prime example of such a situation, with Athens advocating for a dedicated European mechanism to handle similar incidents in the future.
