In a period of structural realignment for the Old Continent, Athens is emerging as a leading voice in the debate over the new European security architecture. The recent meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, was not merely a formal encounter but a clear political intervention targeting the heart of European hesitation: defense financing.
Defense as a 'Public Good'
Kyriakos Mitsotakis employed a terminology that is far from accidental. By characterizing defense as a "European public good," he attempted to shift the burden from national budgets to collective European planning. The logic is simple yet disruptive by Brussels standards: if the security of the borders of Poland or Greece concerns the entire Union, then the financing of this security cannot be the sole responsibility of the frontline member states.
This approach comes at a time when Europe realizes that the "peace dividend" of previous decades has been exhausted. With the war in Ukraine persisting and uncertainty in transatlantic relations mounting, the need for autonomous operational capability has become existential. The Prime Minister emphasized that Europe must invest massively in its defense industry, not only for security reasons but also to bolster its technological sovereignty.
The Thorny Issue of Common Borrowing
The most controversial point of Mitsotakis's proposal remains the suggestion for common European borrowing. Following the precedent of the Recovery Fund (NextGenerationEU), Athens, along with Paris and other capitals of the South and Eastern Europe, is pushing for the issuance of "defense Eurobonds." The argument is based on the fact that the required investments are so vast that no national budget can shoulder them without risking fiscal stability.
However, the front of "frugal" Northern states remains skeptical. Germany and the Netherlands traditionally view common borrowing as a "transfer union" that could undermine fiscal discipline. Mitsotakis, however, countered that geopolitical reality leaves no room for dogmatism. The Draghi report on European competitiveness has already set the tone, pointing out that Europe needs hundreds of billions of euros more annually to remain a global player.
Activating Article 42.7: From Theory to Practice
Another critical aspect of the discussion with Kubilius was the operational dimension of Article 42, paragraph 7 of the Treaty on European Union. This is the mutual assistance clause, which states that if a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have toward it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power.
The Greek Prime Minister pointed out that this article remains largely a "dead letter" at an operational level. Greece seeks the creation of specific protocols and structures that would make mutual assistance automatic and effective. This would serve as an additional safety net, complementary to NATO, enhancing the Union's deterrent power against revisionist forces.
Conclusions and Outlook
Andrius Kubilius's mission is historic, as he is the first Commissioner with an exclusive portfolio for Defense. His choice to visit Athens and engage at this level with Kyriakos Mitsotakis underscores Greece's role as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. The next steps will be determined at the summits in Brussels, where the proposal for common financing will face the harsh reality of national interests. The success of this initiative will determine whether Europe will remain an "economic giant but a geopolitical dwarf" or if it will evolve into a true strategic power.
