Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Salzburg on Sunday and delive...

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Salzburg on Sunday and delivered a blunt message on migration: Europe must make clear to economic migrants that they will be returned to their home countries if they have no right to asylum. Mitsotakis said Greece and Austria are nearly identical in their approach to migration management. He called for a unified European message, arguing that anyone who arrives knowing they do not qualify for asylum should expect deportation. He also said legal migration channels need to open in parallel, but in an organized and controlled way. On the cost-of-living crisis, Mitsotakis confirmed that Greece has spent around 800 million euros in support measures during 2026 alone as a result of the Middle East conflict. He announced a 10-cent per liter diesel fuel subsidy for August regardless of how the situation develops. He warned that if the crisis escalates again, EU leaders may need to meet and discuss emergency support measures for households and businesses across Europe. On energy, Mitsotakis said Greece has shifted from being a natural gas importer to a key supplier for southeastern Europe, calling energy security a form of geopolitical security. He also said Europe needs to strengthen its defense and should not hesitate to activate the mutual assistance clause if it becomes necessary. The two leaders also discussed Western Balkans enlargement, with Mitsotakis reaffirming Greece's support for EU integration of the region while stressing that there can be no shortcuts. He congratulated Austria on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and said both countries stand united in defending international law. #Greece #Europe #Migration