Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised concerns over Turkey’s potential participation in European defence policy during a meeting in Berlin with newly appointed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — the first European leader to be received by the new chancellor.
“We have a responsibility to choose our defence interlocutors carefully,” Mitsotakis said.
“They must be aligned with European foreign policy. Otherwise, security, autonomy, and the credibility of the EU is at stake.”
Merz, while advocating for broader inclusion of non-EU countries like Norway, did not directly address Turkey but said: “This is an opportunity to bring countries […] into European policy.”
On the possible sale of Eurofighter jets to Turkey, Mitsotakis said, “It is not the role of the Greek prime minister to dictate how Germany conducts arms sales,” but added that such decisions must consider a country’s alignment with EU foreign and security policy.
Συναντήθηκα σήμερα στο Βερολίνο με τον Καγκελάριο της Γερμανίας Friedrich Merz. Θέλω να τον ευχαριστήσω για τη θερμή υποδοχή! Η συνάντησή μας αυτή επιβεβαιώνει ότι οι ελληνογερμανικές «γέφυρες» γίνονται τώρα ακόμα πιο δυνατές. https://t.co/XmADTxjup7 pic.twitter.com/LysDHI686t
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) May 13, 2025
Mitsotakis also stressed the need for an EU-led peace effort in Ukraine and called for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, alongside cooperation in reconstruction efforts.
Merz warned that Russia would face stronger EU sanctions if it failed to make meaningful progress in peace talks.
On migration, both leaders acknowledged ongoing challenges. Mitsotakis called it “an issue of national security,” and urged Germany to consider Greece’s frontline role.
Merz said migration from Greece to Germany “must be further reduced,” with discussions to continue at the ministerial level.
Mitsotakis also highlighted Greece’s economic progress and appeal to German investors. “Our country will never again go through a crisis like the one that brought us to our knees in 2015,” he said.
Both leaders agreed to continue discussions on EU defence funding and a unified approach to foreign policy and migration.
Source: Ekathimerini.
