Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday described Greece’s deployment to Cyprus amid escalating Middle East tensions as “defensive and peaceful,” with the sole purpose of preventing threatening actions against the Mediterranean island.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on a bill allowing Greeks living abroad to vote by mail in upcoming national elections, Mitsotakis characterized the wider region as experiencing “large-scale and high-intensity military events with unpredictable economic consequences,” noting that the global geopolitical map is constantly shifting. “The only certainty is international uncertainty,” he said.
He reaffirmed Athens’ support for de-escalation of active conflicts and the return to diplomacy with respect for international law, emphasizing the importance of freedom and security in international shipping lanes.
Addressing Iran, Mitsotakis said the country’s future must guarantee freedom and self-determination for a population that has faced decades of oppression, while ensuring strict control over its nuclear and ballistic programs to prevent ongoing threats to regional and global peace.
The prime minister outlined measures Greece has taken in response to the crisis, including placing the country on diplomatic and defense alert, activating the Crisis Management Unit, establishing multiple communication channels with relevant states, and creating platforms to facilitate the repatriation of citizens. He said a special plan is ready to allow an organized return of Greeks once conditions allow.
Referring to Greece’s deployment of two frigates and four F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus, Mitsotakis stressed that “Greece is present wherever national duty calls” and that the country has placed its armed forces at the service of Greeks worldwide. He reiterated that “the mission is defensive and peaceful, with the sole purpose of preventing threatening actions.”