The Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, participated today, 21 March 2022, in the EU Foreign and Defence Ministers Council in Brussels, during which the final text with regard to the “Strategic Compass” was approved. Next, the EU Defence Ministers Council was held, where the military dimensions and security aspects of the Russian invasion in Ukraine were discussed.
During the discussion regarding the “Strategic Compass”, the Minister stated that its adoption is a milestone that shows EU’s determination to become a reliable Defence and Security Pillar, especially after Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. He also pointed out the importance of investing in European defence, in accordance with the “Strategic Compass” goals, stressing that due to the challenges and threats that Greece faces, its defence expenditures exceed the 2% of its Gross National Product. So, as he stressed, the exclusion of some defence expenditures’ categories from the existing fiscal deficit criteria is extremely important and urgent.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos assessed that the “Strategic Compass” will be the springboard for adopting a common strategic culture and defence policy, which will take under consideration the security threats and challenges that every Member State faces and which must be jointly dealt with. In this context, he pointed out the importance of a clear reference in the text of the “Strategic Compass” to the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, which result from the provocative and unilateral actions of Turkey and target EU Member States, violating their sovereign rights, and International Law.
Regarding Russia’s attack against Ukraine, the Minister stated that it is a flagrant violation of International Law, which undermines the foundations of European security. He also pointed out that Greece condemns Russia’s revisionist actions and supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, dispatching from the first moment defence materiel, medical supplies and significant humanitarian aid.
He also expressed Greece’s support to Ukraine for the numerous human losses caused by the Russian bombarding, among which there were Greeks nationals and pointed out the need of close coordination among the EU, NATO, the United Nations and OECD, in order to provide every possible support to Ukraine. In addition, he stated that the sanctions against Russia influence the countries that impose them as well and requested the measures necessary to ease the consequences regarding their economies and EU’s citizens and he also pointed out that the decision of some countries not to align with the imposition of sanctions undermines their effectiveness.
In the margins of the Conference works, the Minister of National Defence presided over the Working Lunch of the European People’s Party (EPP) Defence Ministers.
