The General Director of National Defence Policy & International Relations, Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos participated in the informal meeting of Defence Policy Directors of the European Union (EU) held in Toledo on 06 and 07 July 2023. The proceedings of the meeting focused on developments in Ukraine, EU support in assessing progress in the implementation of rapid deployment capacities, as well as maritime security issues in the EU’s areas of interest.
Dr. Balomenos, during his intervention, first confirmed Greece’s commitment to continue providing support to Ukraine, both bilaterally and at EU level, through assistance to the Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM Ukraine) and participation in relevant EU initiatives.
He highlighted the value of the European Peace Facility (EPF) as an important tool, providing an integrated framework capable of strengthening both the Union’s common defence and security objectives and crisis management capacity.
Addressing his counterparts, he stressed the need to strengthen the global nature of the Facility by taking additional action on the part of the member states.
He also pointed out our country’s stance on the inclusion of the rules of origin of the equipment provided, noting that the financing, through the Mechanism, of economic operators controlled by third countries that threaten the security interests of Member States cannot be accepted. He then welcomed the decision to raise the ceiling of the Facility by EUR 3.5 billion, stating that it demonstrates the determination of EU member states to convey a strong political message of collective support to their partners.
As regards the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, Dr. Balomenos noted that additional requirements for action by the Union should in no way undermine the joint efforts of member states to take coordinated decisions, given that short-term weaknesses could have long-term implications. In this light, he also argued that funding from the member states should be reserved for the development of European industry, in an effort to limit the dependence on third parties outside the Union, and with the ultimate objective of achieving European strategic autonomy.
At the second working session on the assessment of progress in the deployment of rapid response capacities, the General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations made clear that their implementation is an imperative for the European Union, given the present geopolitical instability, as the Union should become a reliable security provider able to react promptly and effectively to the benefit of citizens’ security. He reconfirmed that our country remains faithfully committed to achieving the necessary milestones for a successful path towards their full operational capability.
The proceedings of the Summit were completed with the presentation by the Operational Commander of Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA of the main calls for maritime security in the Horn of Africa and the Northwest Indian Ocean.
Finally, on the sidelines of the Summit, the General Director held a bilateral working meeting with his Slovak counterpart, Mr. Jan MOZOLA, during which issues pertaining to the strengthening the bilateral defence relations of the two countries were discussed.
