The Minister of National Defense stressed the need to make full use of European initiatives for cooperation in the field of production and joint procurement of defense equipment in a way that ensures the interests of EU member states. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulosduring the EU Foreign Affairs and Defense Council, held today in Brussels.

During his speech, the Greek Minister stressed that the prevailing security conditions and environment require, today more than ever, the full use of European initiatives for cooperation in the production and joint supply of defense equipment (defense capabilities) in a way that ensures the security interests of the Member States and The EU will make a decisive contribution to the strengthening of European security and defense, will have a positive impact on European strategic autonomy and the strengthening of the defense industry of the EU member states.

N. Panagiotopoulos also stressed the active participation of Greece in the mission to provide military assistance to Ukraine in order to strengthen the country’s armed forces to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty and fight Russian revisionism. He also emphasized the importance of the European Peace Fund (EPF) in terms of direct and substantial support to Ukraine in the provision of defense materials based on specific criteria, as well as the need for a geographical balance in activities funded by the Fund.

Referring to the EU’s actions in Africa, N. Panagiotopoulos stressed the positive role of Niger as a democratic country and its contribution to solving security problems in the region and asked to support the country’s efforts to combat terrorism and control migration flows.

Finally, in a discussion on Ukraine, which was attended via videoconference by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Greek Minister reaffirmed Greece’s undivided support for Ukraine’s fair struggle and the need to continue to provide all possible support and supply of protective equipment.

^{Source: RES-IPE}