ECONOMIST IMPACT – Dendias: The problem is if European funds are spent in a way that threatens Greece’s defence
Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias spoke on Tuesday at the 29th Economist Round Table Discussion on European funds for European defence.
He stressed that the main problem is whether “ the European Union's funds will be spent in a way that directly or indirectly threatens Greece's defence.”
He also noted that “ the issue is not whether we have the ability to veto,” adding: “ The European Union does not work on the principle of veto. It operates mainly on the principle of consensus - and I think our friends and partners within the European Union will understand this oxymoron: to fund a weapon that can be turned against one of the partners in the European family.”
“ Türkiye is a NATO ally. But on the other hand, it still has a casus belli against Greece. For us, therefore, the issue is twofold. We want Türkiye to be treated as an ally, but on the other hand, we see Türkiye as a country which has declared a casus belli against us,” he stressed.
Dendias emphasised that Greece can contribute to the new era of European defence with innovation. “ We have excellent scientists in small but high-potential defence companies in our ecosystem, which, if integrated into the wider European ecosystem, can offer a lot,” he said.
The Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) is a Communication Supporter of the "29th Annual Government Roundtable - Walking Steadily Across a Tightrope of Uncertainty."
Photos from the conference:
https://www.amna.gr/pr-photo
On-camera statements:
https://www.amna.gr/video-services/544358/Corporate%20Videos (YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/user/AMNAwebTV (YouTube)
https://we.tl/SG16Qml4bD ( files)