Thank you very much, Prime Minister, dear Kyriakos. It is always a pleasure to visit you in Athens and thank you for your warm welcome. It is essential for me to hear directly from every leader in their respective capitals during this tour. I plan to build on what I hear during these weeks, to prepare the next European Council meetings. And now especially with you, to start preparing also, the Greek Presidency of the Council in the second half of 2027. The coming months will be critical for our Union. We are approaching one of the most consequential decisions of recent years: on our next long-term European budget for 2028-2034. We must reach an agreement by the end of this year. That is the only way to avoid disruptions to our investments in our farmers, our businesses, our students, our researchers and our innovators.
And, the events of this summer, from devastating wildfires – including here in Greece – to severe droughts, have once again shown that Europe must be prepared to respond to unforeseen challenges. This is why it is so important that our next budget is fit to face the realities of the world we live in, and respond to the needs of our citizens and businesses. We are operating in a fundamentally different geopolitical environment from the one we faced when we agreed on the current budget in 2020. This new reality calls for a new approach to our budget, with a new structure and a new way of allocating our resources. We need a budget that delivers on our common priorities - including in key areas such as defence and security, competitiveness, innovation, and strategic resilience. At the same time, we must – as you said – continue to support our cohesion and agricultural policies. They are fundamental to ensuring that prosperity, resilience and opportunities reach every part of Europe. Nevertheless, like national budgets, the European Union budget must deliver on its priorities within the limits of finite resources. Most of it is financed through member states’ national contributions. And we need to keep those contributions within reasonable limits. That is why a balanced and ambitious package of so-called new own resources, the new revenue streams for the European Union, will be an essential part of an overall agreement. This will be a difficult task, but I am reassured by the constructive tone of the debate thus far, and I am confident we will reach an agreement before the end of this year. Prime Minister, dear Kyriakos, Greece is in a strategic position, overlooking the Mediterranean and the Middle East and seeing further than we can sometimes see from Brussels. That’s why it was so important for me to hear your perspective. We need to protect our borders, including our sea borders, and ensure that Europe has the necessary capabilities to respond effectively. We also have a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Prime Minister informed me of the latest developments as regards relations between Greece and Türkiye. The European Union is interested in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with this country. Türkiye’s own constructive engagement is instrumental in advancing the various areas of cooperation, as European Council conclusions have clearly and repeatedly stated.
In any event, the priority of the European Union will always be to protect the interests of its member states. On the Middle East, we agree that developments in the region have implications for Europe’s peace and stability. They also affect migration flows and have a direct impact on our energy security. And for this reason, we need to remain engaged in the region. I am grateful to Greece for its active role in this regard, particularly in strengthening relations with our Gulf partners. To further strengthen relations, the European Union will be holding a Summit with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council on 24 October. Let me conclude by stressing that Europe is strongest when we stand together, especially in these challenging geopolitical times. Dear Kyriakos, your engagement and contribution have been – and will continue to be – invaluable as we shape our common response to the challenges ahead. By working together, I am confident that we can make meaningful progress and build a stronger, safer and more united European Union. Thank you. | 
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