Greece backs EU proposal to lift budget caps on defense spending

'Greece has long advocated to exempt defence investments from fiscal constraints,' says premier

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Greece expressed support Friday for a proposal by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to lift budget limitations on defense spending of EU member states.

"Greece has long advocated to exempt defence investments from fiscal constraints," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote on X.

Mitsotakis noted that Greece welcomes Von der Leyen's proposal "to activate the escape clause," stressing that the approach would allow EU member states to increase their defense capacities.

"A crucial step for our collective security," he said of the proposal.

At the Munich Security Conference Von der Leyen announced Friday that she would propose activating the "escape clause" for defense investments.

This will allow EU member states to "substantially increase their defense expenditure" in light of growing security concerns, she said.

Kaynak: