Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking after the conclusion of the EU Summit, called for urgent action to address a new irregular migration route emerging from Eastern Libya to Crete. “We will use every means available—carrot and stick—to ensure this route is not consolidated,” he stressed.
Mitsotakis announced that the EU Commissioner for Migration, along with ministers from Greece, Italy, and Malta, will visit Libya in early July to coordinate with Libyan authorities. Greece, he said, has already deployed naval assets outside Libyan territorial waters to monitor and intercept vessels attempting illegal crossings.
The summit also reaffirmed the EU’s stance on the controversial Turkey-Libya maritime agreement, calling it “null and void” and in violation of international maritime law. Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s active exercise of its sovereign rights, with offshore exploration blocks south of Crete and a readiness to engage in maritime boundary talks with Libya once a unified government is in place.
On European defence, Mitsotakis advocated for a new EU financial tool to support shared defence projects. He welcomed a key amendment in the summit conclusions stating that EU partnerships with third countries must align with the bloc’s Common Foreign and Security Policy—a move seen as a diplomatic success for Athens.
Turning to the Middle East, Mitsotakis reiterated Greece’s commitment to diplomacy, especially in avoiding a nuclear-armed Iran. He urged the EU to pressure Israel to halt operations in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Overall, Mitsotakis framed Greece as a proactive EU partner on migration, defence, and stability in the Mediterranean and the broader Middle East.
