Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greeks understand and support the need for increased defence spending, as he attended a two-day meeting of European People’s Party leaders in Zagreb.
Responding to questions on Greece’s military outlays, Mitsotakis noted that the country has long spent more than 2 per cent of GDP on defence, reflecting its geography and national priorities, and that spending has now risen to above 3 per cent of GDP.
He said citizens accept higher defence expenditure as necessary for Greece to remain secure, prosperous and democratic, and added there is growing public demand for stronger involvement of the domestic defence industry, a direction the government is pursuing.
Mitsotakis also said the strength of the Greek economy allows Greece to maintain defence spending at around 3 per cent of GDP while continuing tax reductions for the middle class and preserving a primary surplus, adding that the policy strikes the right balance and contributes to Europe’s strategic autonomy.
Source: Ekathimerini.
