Mitsotakis reiterates Athens’ support for Ukraine’s EU prospects during meeting with Draghi in Rome

A meeting in Rome between Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and visiting Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis concluded late Wednesday evening at the Chigi Palace government house, with the latter subsequently departing for Brussels in order to participate in Thursday’s European Council summit.

According to sources from the Greek side, both leaders examined challenges faced by Europe at the moment in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, especially repercussions on the energy sector and food security. Both Mitsotakis and Draghi also agreed over the need for solutions to be taken at the European level.

During the two-hour meeting, Draghi reportedly briefed the Greek prime minister over his recent visit to Kiev.

Both sides discussed energy prices and a need to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels, along with the prospect of imposing a ceiling on the wholesale price of natural gas.

The issue of the European Council’s recommendation that Ukraine be granted a candidate country status, as well as prospects for a further EU enlargement, were discussed.

Mitsotakis reportedly reiterated Greece’s backing for Ukraine’s EU prospects, but also regarding the need to send a positive message over accession prospects of western Balkan states. He repeated a recent pledge, made during a South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) summit in Thessaloniki, for accession of western Balkan countries by 2033.

Moreover, according to the same sources, the Greek leader briefed Draghi over developments in the eastern Mediterranean, and what Athens directly terms as Turkish belligerence and provocations.

As far as strife-plagued Libya is concerned, both sides examined prospects for resuming a political process, while urging all sides to avoid violence.