Greece wants defense spending excluded from EU’s deficit calculation

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Greece reiterated Thursday that money invested in defense spending should not be part of the European Union’s deficit calculation.

During a working dinner in Athens with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said defense spending should be excluded from the EU’s calculation of the deficits for its member states, according to a statement by the Greek Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, the two premiers also discussed expanding bilateral relations, especially in the area of economy, with a particular emphasis on cooperation in the energy field.

Regarding mutual interests and common challenges, Mitsotakis and Meloni affirmed that an integrated European migration policy requires the guarding of the borders as well as the need to crack down on smugglers' networks and prevent departures from third countries, it added.

They also agreed on the convening of the Supreme Council of Greece-Italy Cooperation in the first half of 2024 in Italy.