The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos participated today, Tuesday 23 May 2023, in the EU Foreign Affairs – Defence Council, and at the European Defence Organisation Steering Board, in Brussels.

The key subjects discussed concerned the support for Ukraine’s defence, the promotion of measures to enhance EU m-s defence industry, and EU actions in Africa.

In his interventions, the Minister of National Defence highlighted the vital role played by a strong and competitive European defence industry to the security of the EU and its m-s, and to the support of European strategic autonomy.

He underlined that Greece considers the initiative for joint procurement of ammunition and enhancement of the EU’s Defence, Technological and Industrial Base, a very positive development, which is required by the current conditions, and is a crucial step towards the creation of a common and autonomous EU capability to protect its values and interests, and the European citizens.

As far as the defence support to Ukraine is concerned, he underlined that Greece has already provided ammunition and will carry on offering all support possible, as it has done since the beginning of the war, also contributing to EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine.

In this context, he also highlighted the importance of proposing a regulation for the support of ammunition production by the EU m-s defence industries, for the European Defence and Security, as well as for Ukraine, and for its implementation, in a way that can ensure the m-s security interests.

Regarding the EU actions in Africa, Mr. Panagiotopoulos claimed that the serious challenges and threats in the area, which create migratory flows, among other things, should be taken under consideration. As the crisis in Soudan shows, its is necessary to accelerate actions for the establishment of the EU Rapid Reaction Force, which will demonstrate its commitment to be a trustworthy security supplier. At the working lunch, which was also attended by NATO SG Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, the Minister mentioned that Greece fully supports the EU-NATO cooperation, on the basis of the principles of reciprocity, inclusiveness and autonomy in decision-making. He also underlined the role of EU Space Strategy and Maritime Security Strategy, so that the EU may tackle emerging threats more rapidly and effectively.