Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said after the conclusion of the North-South Summit in Lapland, Finland, that border protection is an integral part of the migration strategy.
He stressed that it was very important to bring together the leaders of two southern countries and two northern countries, as well as the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs, to discuss what challenges they face together.
Mitsotakis underlined that "it was very constructive for us to understand what the issues are that Finland is facing, especially with regard to the management of the 1340 km border with Russia. But it was an opportunity for me and Georgia to present some security and migration challenges we face in the Eastern and Central Mediterranean." The first challenge, as Mitsotakis said, "is that border protection is an integral part of the migration strategy, as well as a common priority, regardless of whether we have some land or water borders.” He reiterated that better management of these challenges should be a common European concern, and this is the issue that was raised at the European Council.
Mitsotakis reiterated how important it is to have additional funding at the European level, not only for border management but also for natural disasters, which allows for effective border management.
On defence, Mitsotakis said that this is an issue that will be discussed at the extraordinary European Council in February. "It is very important, especially at this moment when we have to convince the transatlantic allies and the transatlantic partner that we are taking our security with full seriousness and responsibility," he added.
Concluding, Mitsotakis thanked the Finnish Prime Minister for his hospitality and said, "I would like to say that these informal meetings are always very constructive, and I thank you for giving us the opportunity not only to visit this wonderful part of your country but also to better understand what the security concerns of the Nordic countries are."