Relations between Greece and Spain are very strong and based on common experiences and viewpoints about Europe’s future, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in Madrid on Monday, at joint statements with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez following their private meeting.
During his statements and in response to questions, Mitsotakis referred to issues they discussed and noted that the meeting was held at a moment of unprecedented international uncertainty, while he also underlined that both prime ministers reiterated their support of the Ukrainian people, something which he said also relates to the European Union’s credibility as a geopolitical player.
Asked to comment on the stance of the US government and that of President Donald Trump on Greenland, he said Greenland’s future is exclusively an affair of Greenland and Denmark, while Europe must be at the front lines of supporting the national independence and territorial integrity of its members. He expressed the belief that there are solutions available for security in the Arctic that could involve the United States, NATO, and the European Union in order to resolve a real issue of security, but these solutions should not violate International Law. “I would like to believe that common sense will prevail and we will end up with solutions of mutual benefit,” he said, expressing the hope that the security of Euro-Atlantic relations would not be jeopardized.
Referring to his meeting with Sánchez, the Greek premier highlighted Greece’s contribution to Ukraine’s energy security through the vertical corridors, and on the Middle East underlined the necessity of Hamas’ disarmament for security to exist, while he reiterated that Greece is prepared to contribute to the future the of the Middle East and the establishment of peace.
In terms of Venezuela, the priority is to deescalate tension and to have a smooth transition to a democratic, legitimate government, while the global community should act responsibly and realistically, both conditions based on International Law and the respect of human rights.
The two prime ministers, he said, referred to the need to strengthen the Greek-Spanish economic cooperation, they underlined that both countries are in a strong recovery, and added they agreed that development must be socially fair. Both agreed to the EU’s multiannual financial frameowrk, he noted, underlining that the two leaders will be “focused on supporting social cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy, which are of interest to southern countries.”
Furthermore, both he and Sánchez shared common stances on the conclusions of the Draghi and Letta reports, while they also mentioned the migration issue in terms of the implementation of the new agreement on asylum, the Greek leader said.
Concerning citizens’ daily lives, PM Mitsotakis said, “The increased cost of living is besieging all European countries. Besides targeted policies, we must also talk about a stronger European support so that development leaves no one behind.” Mitsotakis also thanked Sánchez for his good words over Greece’s contribution in fighting fires in Spain in 2025.
The Greek PM said that 15 years ago southern countries appeared as the great ‘sick man of Europe’, but that era has been forever left behind, since these countries are leading the way in EU high growth rates, reducting public debt as a percentage of GDP, and borrow with lower interest rates than other countries due to much higher credibility. In addition, Greece and Spain share a common vision of a more ambitious European budget. Greece, he reminded, was in the front lines of the proposal for a joint financial tool to fund defense leading to strategic autonomy. He concluded that the EU should not be geopolitically naive, considering that Spain and Greece can play a key role in formulating this European discussion that is more timely than ever.
Sánchez: Greece – from crisis to Eurogroup presidency
Greece and Spain used to be considered the weak links in Europe, but this is no longer true either in Europe or the eurozone, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Monday during joint statements after meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Sánchez referred to the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union signed on Friday, which he said will bring greater prosperity and cooperation with South America and the Caribbean to those countries that want to remain open in their economies.
Speaking of Greece, he said Greece went through the crisis of the euro and then came to preside over the Eurogroup, while he mentioned the parallel development of Greece and Spain’s high growth performances in Europe (2.3% for Spain, 2.1% for Greece), two countries no longer in danger.
Among other issues, the Spanish PM noted that as the southern borders of Europe, Spain and Greece had a fully operational defense mechanism and measures for migration, while Europe needed a comprehensive and safe migration framework that the Spanish presidency was trying to promote. He also referred to the climate crisis and the catastrophic fires Spain experienced last year, thanking Greek firefighters for their exemplary professionalism and help.
Source: ANA-MPA
