PM Mitsotakis Welcomes von der Leyen’s Defence Spending Proposals

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed his approval of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to activate the escape clause, which would exempt defense expenditures from the European Union’s fiscal constraints.

In a statement shared on social media, Mitsotakis emphasized that Greece has consistently supported this position, viewing it as a crucial step toward bolstering the defense capabilities of EU member states and, by extension, enhancing Europe’s collective security.

Greece has long advocated to exempt defence investments from fiscal constraints. We welcome the proposal by President @vonderleyen to activate the escape clause, enabling EU member states to strengthen their defence capabilities. A crucial step for our collective security.

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) February 14, 2025

Earlier on Friday, during the Munich Security Conference, von der Leyen announced plans to reform defense spending rules to enable member states to “substantially increase their defense expenditure” and to introduce changes in the way pan-European investment projects are organized.

“I believe we are now in a period of crisis that warrants a similar approach. That is why I am announcing that I will propose activating the escape clause for defense investments,” she said during her speech at the conference. “This will allow member states to significantly boost their defense spending, but of course, we will do so in a controlled and conditional manner.”

Source: tovima.com