The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos met on Friday, 28 April 2023, with the EU Commissioner for Internal Market Mr. Thierry Breton, who visited Greece, in the context of his meetings with Defence Ministers of EU member’ states and his visit to European Defence Industries.

During the meeting, they discussed matters related to the provision of support to defence industries, in view of specific proposals, which are to be submitted by the Commission regarding measures which will enhance the productive capacity of the European Defence Industry.

After the talks between Mr. Panagiotopoulos and Mr. Breton, a press conference was held for the editors and correspondents of Foreign Press Media in the Press Conference Room of the Ministry of National Defence.

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Dear Commissioner, Dear Thierry,

Ιt is with great pleasure that I welcome you today, in Athens, at the Ministry of National Defence.

The visit of Commissioner Breton to Greece is very important, because it will pave the way, following the decision of the European Council, last March, for concrete proposals by the Commission to support, first and foremost, the manufacturing capacities of the European Defence Industry, which is very essential for EU’s security.

Fourteen months after the outbreak of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a new security environment emerged in Europe, which we believe led, also, to an increased and urgent demand for advanced defence capabilities and ammunitions.

The visit of Commissioner Breton to Greece is part of his tour of EU defence industries, and later today, we will visit two factories producing ammunition, to discuss supply chains issues, efficient procurement procedure and ways to support investments required for the industry in order to contribute to our collective efforts.

Greece is a strong supporter of all European defence initiatives, which promote EU’s strategic autonomy.
We are, obviously, very interested in every initiative that will enable our industry to increase its production capacity in order to meet the new demand, following the war in Ukraine.

We support every European measure designed to strengthen European Defence industry, and I sincerely hope that the proposals by the Commission will be an important step towards this direction.

Greece has been committed, from the outset, to active participation in EU initiatives related to the defence industry, and is currently participating in 44 Research and Development programs under the European Defence Fund (EDF), with the involvement of some 40 different Greek entities.

Today, during our meeting, with Commissioner Breton, I highlighted, also, the importance of our defence investments for new capabilities, as well as our strong potential, including in high value upgrade and maintenance programs.

Greece has always been among those countries that their defence expenditure exceeded, significantly, the line of 2% of GDP. Major defence procurement projects that are strengthening our defence are ongoing, like the acquisition of 3 defence and intervention (Belharra) frigates and 24 Rafale aircraft.

For Greece, this is not a numerical target; it is a coordinated effort to sustain the trend of increasing national Defence expenditure, with the ultimate goal of enhancing further our defence capability, both for national needs, but also for fulfilling, credibly and effectively, our commitments in European Defence.

Greece shares a common strategic vision for EU defence, and will contribute, together with other Member States, towards strengthening European defence.

Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Commissioner Breton, for his leadership in the European defence initiatives, as we stand together to defend our European values and interests against any threats and challenges to our security.

Welcome Thierry!

THIERRY BRETON: Minister I would like to thank you for the welcome.

I am here today because all the Ministers of National Defence decided, in two meetings we had, that it is very important to enhance our capabilities, as European Union, in defence industry, to fulfil, of course, our obligations to Ukraine in ammunitions, but also to fulfil our own goals, as EU, and increase our capabilities. So, in this context, I have begun a tour of eleven countries with strong capabilities in defence industry and of course Greece is one of these countries and a very important one.

Something which I say constantly in public, and not just because I am here today Minister, but all the time, is that we are grateful for what you personally and Greece in general are doing. Your contribution in the protection of the whole EU is massive. It is true that you spend a very large part of your GDP in defence. It is absolutely necessary, not only due to your unique situation, but for all of the EU. That is why we are grateful and I wanted to state that. Of course, this means that you have managed not only to maintain but also to develop a defence base. This is important for Greece and the EU. That is why today we will visit together two very important facilities and we will meet with the administration and the people there, so that I can evaluate how we can help these people to increase and enhance our defence capabilities.

And when I say “help” I mean the finalisation of acts which I will present to the Commission next week, that is why I will leave after my visit here, where I will stress the importance of Greece in defence industry and in defence as a whole. There we will see how we can support, through cooperation and other ways, so as to increase the dedicated lines of production, because we know that we will need to definitely increase the capacity of our defence production. That is basically the reason I am here today. It is a very important day. We had a very interesting talk with the Minister on the situation and on how we can work together, with specific acts, which will help all of the defence industry and the Greek defence industry. When I return, all the data from my visit here will be included in our acts and then we will decide to move very quickly and definitively. I firmly believe that we will find ways to secure the enhancement of the Greek defence industry. Thank you very much for the invitation and thank you again for what Greece is doing for all of us in Europe.

NIKOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: In other words, the European Commission shows that it appreciates our Domestic Defence Industry much more than some people in Greece seem to appreciate it. Thank you.