Greece's government has stated it is ready to shield households and businesses from rising fuel and energy costs amid the war in the Middle East, which continues to send shockwaves through global markets. Following the European Council in Brussels, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Athens is prepared to respond to price pressures resulting from the ongoing conflict in the region.
"The government is ready, within the limits of its fiscal capabilities, to address the impact of increases in fuel prices," he said, adding that electricity costs could also come under pressure. European leaders, he noted, held extensive discussions on the economic consequences of the ongoing war, with broad agreement that "the longer conflicts continue, the more negative the impact will be on the global, European and, consequently, the Greek economy".
Mitsotakis pointed to a formulation in the Council's conclusions that "opens the door for more flexibility" in both national and EU-level measures to manage what he described as an extraordinary crisis, although he did not specify specific interventions.
Beyond domestic economic concerns, the Greek prime minister also addressed the country's military role in safeguarding energy infrastructure abroad. He confirmed that Greek Patriot missile systems deployed in Saudi Arabia since 2021 were involved in a recent interception, describing the action as "strictly defensive" and part of a broader agreement with a "strategic partner". The operation, he argued, demonstrated the operational readiness of the Greek armed forces.
Mitsotakis framed the mission in global economic terms, stressing that protecting critical energy infrastructure has direct implications for international oil prices. "If a key refinery in Saudi Arabia had been hit, oil prices today would be much higher," he said, underlining the interconnected nature of energy security.
At the European level, Greece and France jointly called for a moratorium on strikes against energy installations, whether in Iran or the Gulf, reflecting mounting concern over the potential for escalation.
The prime minister also highlighted what he described as a significant step forward in EU defence cooperation. Following recent tensions involving Cyprus, European support amounted to a "de facto, if not de jure" activation of the EU's mutual assistance clause. He called for a clearer operational roadmap to ensure faster, more coordinated responses to future threats, arguing that recent developments are an opportunity to deepen European strategic autonomy.
