The General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations (DNDPIR) of the Ministry of National Defence, Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos, participated in the Informal Meeting of European Union’s (EU) Defence Policy Directors, held in Stockholm on 31 January and 1 February 2023. The Meeting focused on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the EU support, including the actions of the Strategic Compass, the EUMAM Ukraine and the European Peace Facility (EPF).
Dr. Balomenos, in his intervention, stressed the need to ensure the unity of member states against Russian aggression, pointing out that this is a principled position that should apply to every revisionist force. He confirmed Greece’s commitment to provide support to Ukraine both bilaterally and in the framework of the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM Ukraine).
He highlighted the importance of the EPF for the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the need to ensure sustainability of the Facility, on the basis of a realistic and integrated approach. “Flexibility but also predictability are two elements to be taken into account in our discussions. We need to make EPF support to Ukraine fit for purpose under a longer perspective but also to restore a geographical balance to the Mechanism through strategic readjustments” he stated, in view also of the forthcoming debate on the revision of the relevant Council’s decision.
The Meeting ended with a joint EU-NATO working lunch on the situation in Ukraine, the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood in the light of the recently signed third Joint Declaration. On the part of Greece, Dr. Balomenos expressed his support for close and mutually reinforced cooperation between the EU and NATO based on the principles of inclusiveness, reciprocity and transparency, and respect for the decision-making autonomy of each organisation.
On the sidelines of the Meeting, the General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations held bilateral talks with his counterparts from France, the Czech Republic, Italy and Hungary, discussing issues of common interest. Finally, during his two-day visit, Dr. Balomenos had a working meeting with the Greek Ambassador in Stockholm, Mr. Andreas Fryganas, during which issues of foreign policy and defence and security were discussed.
