The Prime Minister of Greece spoke out against cutting the EU agricultural policy budget

Ahead of the European Union summit, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined Athens' position regarding the bloc's next budget. The Greek side insists that the financing of new priorities in security, defense, research, and innovation must not come at the expense of cutting the cohesion policy and Common Agricultural Policy budgets. At the same time, Greece expressed its readiness to support the introduction of new EU own resources, provided this does not create an excessive financial burden on less developed economies.

During his speech, Mitsotakis also touched upon climate policy, energy systems, and economic support amid high energy prices. According to him, the climate strategy was developed during a period of cheap energy, whereas industry currently has to pay more while simultaneously financing its own transition. The Prime Minister pointed out that fossil fuels will continue to play a significant role during the transition period, and European industry must be given time to adapt along with economically viable decarbonization technologies.

Against the backdrop of measures to support the heating season, work continues in Greece on developing energy storage systems for the efficient use of renewable sources. Earlier in Larissa, Mitsotakis reaffirmed the goal of reducing electricity prices by at least 30% by 2030.