Referring to the ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted in an interview with CNN that Greece co-signed a joint statement welcoming the ceasefire and hoping it will result in a lasting peace. “We are optimistic,” he said, while expressing concern about what is happening in Lebanon.
“It is clear that Israel’s attack on Lebanon is counterproductive and I believe that if we want to talk about a final ceasefire in the region, all hostilities must stop. All Israel is achieving is to give Hezbollah a new platform,” Mitsotakis said.
The prime minister noted that we have a strategic partnership with Israel but, he said, friends must be honest with each other. He added that for the first time there is a capable government in Lebanon and if the attacks continue, we will lead to a humanitarian crisis. “I hope they will stop in order to ensure that a broader framework of ceasefire is maintained,” he added.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Mitsotakis said it was of particular concern to us as we are the world’s largest shipping power. “I do not believe that the international community will accept Iran imposing tolls. It would be unacceptable,” he said, and estimated that it was possible “that we could come up with a separate international agreement for the Strait of Hormuz that does not include a fee that ships would pay.” He added that if we imposed tolls now, it would be dangerous for the future of shipping.
On the possibility of the US leaving NATO, Mitsotakis said he believed deeply in the longevity of the transatlantic alliance. He noted that as a result of the US President’s initiatives, Europe has been rallied on defence, now spending more than 3% of GDP with the potential to develop the pillar of strategic autonomy.
“We need to achieve a different balance in NATO for the benefit of the alliance,” he added, while, when asked about Europe’s nuclear protection, he said that some preliminary discussions had indeed been held on the basis of proposals by French President Emmanuel Macron. He noted that France is the only country with nuclear deterrence capability while there was a discussion on strengthening the European defence pillar, not to the detriment of NATO for which he said it remains an alliance very dependent on the US. “We in Europe must also take our share of responsibility, to strengthen defence spending and we discuss this regularly in the European Council,” he added.
The Prime Minister was also asked about the government’s decision to ban access to social media for children up to 15 years old. He recalled that he first raised the issue 18 months ago at the UN General Assembly, stressing that there was a link in increased use to mental health and children’s ability to concentrate and that the business model of the platforms was to attract their interest.
“We have taken action,” he said and said he had also sent a letter to the president of the European Commission. “We cannot achieve significant results each country on its own,” he stressed, and expressed hope that the platforms would comply with European policy and cooperate.
