The ’27’ date in Versailles: K. Mitsotaki’s positions on energy

LAST UPDATE: 09.08

By Dimitris Gatsios

With… a firm point and a strategic point of view the need for a European answer to a European problem and the goal of shielding consumers and businesses against the… Symbols of energy price increases, Kyriakos Mitsotakis attends the work of the extraordinary Summit of the “27” in Versailles. Twenty-four hours after the six-point political intervention in shaping the commercial value of gas in the wholesale market, through his letter to the President of the Commission (a proposal which, according to government sources, is already of great interest to Brussels) the Prime Minister arrives at … Appointment of leaders, with positions on all issues that will be put on the table. For strategic autonomy, the reduction of energy dependence, the resilience of the Member States’ economies, the transition to a green economy and the faster entry of Renewable Energy sources into the energy balance. And, as Athens points out, just hours before the work of the Extraordinary Summit is lifted, these four pillars form a new European concept, which Brussels is called upon to build, in order to play a strong role in the new geopolitical environment.

Having emitted (once again) from the podium of the Council of Ministers a signal for the support of households, businesses and farmers for as long as the… vise of the energy crisis lasts, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the financial staff of the government are waiting for the… trajectories of the Summit of “27”, in order to give a final shape to the next cycle of shielding measures. “In the next ten days, I believe that we will be able, with the co-responsible ministers, to announce and launch a full additional support program, utilizing both national and European resources,” the prime minister said in a speech at the cabinet meeting. And the interventions, which will come to the forefront within the next week, will move in the direction of subsidies for energy costs, to be followed by the so-called “accuracy check”, to a extent that will embrace as much as possible most of the social groups. After all, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has already called for joint European intervention, in order to put a brake on the increase of gas prices, but also to disconnect the geopolitics from the energy crisis, while at the Greek initiative a provision for the previous European Council was included for a package that will absorb fluctuations in energy prices for households and businesses. “This is a pan-European problem that needs to be tackled at a pan-European level,” is the message conveyed at the Versailles Summit, with the government turning its attention to the signals given by the “27”.

Developments in Ukraine and how the European Union can further support Ukraine humanitarianly, economically and politically (including considering its application for EU membership), reducing Russia’s energy dependence, strengthening defense capabilities, strengthening the economic foundations of Brussels are the key units of the informal European Council. And, as government officials note, in the discussion on further development and investment in defense capabilities, Mr. Mitsotakis has taken a clear position on the need to strengthen the European security pillar that will complement NATO and strengthen European strategic autonomy. “The prime minister has repeatedly raised the issue of excluding defense spending from fiscal rules, which is becoming relevant again, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine has raised the issue of European security and the need for defense assistance to a number of member states.” comment. As far as Ukraine is concerned, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will reiterate Greece’s support, which has been demonstrated in practice by sending humanitarian aid and defense equipment, while in what has to do with the request to join the European Union, Athens agrees on the need to send a strong political message in support of Ukraine’s accession prospects. It should not be overlooked, however, that the accession perspective is a process whose credibility must not be undermined.