Greece will not agree to the abolition of the unanimity principle in decision-making at certain stages of the accession process to the European Union. This was stated by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the ANA-MPA agency in Copenhagen, where he is participating in a meeting of the European Political Community, BTA reports.
Mitsotakis commented on the proposal of the President of the European Council Antonio Costa to review the method of decision-making in EU enlargement, with a transition from the principle of consensus to qualified majority.
„Our position is clear - Greece will not agree to the abolition of consensus at key stages of the accession process“, the Prime Minister said. “For certain stages, such as the opening of specific chapters, we may consider using a qualified majority. But consensus remains mandatory for the closing of chapters and for the final decision on accession. Neither Greece nor any other country can accept losing the right to block the process if they consider it to be threatening European or national interests.“
During his visit to Copenhagen, Mitsotakis met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. After the meeting, he reiterated that Greece would not support Turkey's inclusion in the European defense financing facility SAFE until Ankara revokes the 1995 decision of the Turkish parliament. That decision stated that if Greece expanded its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea from 6 to 12 nautical miles, Turkey would consider it a casus belli - a pretext for war.