The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended on Monday 28 September 2026, the European Union Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in its Defence Ministers’ configuration in Brussels.

The main issues discussed by the Defence Ministers were how to tackle hybrid threats, the situation in the Middle East and its implications for European security, as well as developments in Ukraine. At today’s meeting, the Council also approved European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI) aimed at strengthening Europe’s defence readiness.

On his arrival at the Foreign Affairs – Defence Council, Mr. Dendias made the following statement:

“Today, at the European Council (FAC – Defence), in addition to the usual topic of Ukraine, we will also discuss the challenges facing the European Union – our European family – from the South. The crises in the Strait of Hormuz, in Bab-el-Mandab, and more generally across the wider Middle East region.

I would like to say that Greece, for its part, has consistently done everything it can to raise the European Union’s awareness of the problems we face on the southern flank, and has also been participating for years in Operation “Irini” and Operation “Aspides”.

It is therefore time for the European Union to fully realise that the challenges do not come solely from the North, but also from the South. And to provide the necessary resources required to implement the “360-degree” policy that we have been advocating for many years now”.

On the sidelines of the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Mr. Dendias met with the Minister of Defence of the Italian Republic Guido Crosetto, with whom he discussed the common approach of Greece and Italy on critical issues concerning the European Defence and Security architecture. They also agreed on the need for all EU Member-States, in addition to Greece, Italy and France, to contribute to Operation ASPIDES.

The Greek Minister also met with the Dutch Minister of Defence Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, with whom he discussed geopolitical risks and security challenges, as well as way to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

Mr. Dendias also had a brief meeting with the Portuguese Minister of National Defence Nuno Melo. Following their meeting in Lisbon, they discussed the Portuguese Minister’s visit to Athens.

On Tuesday 29 September 2026, Mr. Dendias will take part in a discussion in Brussels on the topic of Military Mobility, as part of the “Connecting Europe Days” event. Also taking part in this discussion will be the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, the Romanian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence and acting Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Radu-Dinel Miruta and the Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for Military Mobility, Roberts Zile.