Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said citizens understand the need for increased defense spending, as he attended a meeting of leaders of the European People’s Party in Zagreb.

Mitsotakis, who is also leader of the ruling New Democracy party, is taking part in the two-day gathering of EPP leaders in the Croatian capital.

Arriving at the meeting, he responded to a journalist’s question regarding Greece’s defense expenditures, which stand at roughly 3% of gross domestic product.

Mitsotakis said Greece has traditionally spent more than 2% of its GDP on defense, even at times when most European countries failed to approach that level.

He said the policy reflected Greece’s geographic conditions and national priorities, noting that defense spending has now risen to above 3% of GDP.

He said citizens understand that in order for Greece to remain a prosperous and democratic country, it must also be secure, and that they accept such spending as necessary.

He added that there is a public desire for greater participation by Greece’s domestic defense industry in defense expenditures, and said the government is moving in that direction.

Mitsotakis also said that due to the strength of the Greek economy, the country can spend 3% of GDP on defense while continuing to reduce taxes for the middle class and maintain a primary surplus.

He said Greece has achieved the right balance, adding that citizens recognize and support higher defense spending as a contribution to Europe’s strategic autonomy.

Source: Ekathimerini.com