“It is a great honor and privilege to be here in Aachen, a city that holds so many memories of . Aachen reminds us that Europe has never been just a ‘geographic construct’. It was always an idea, and more than that, it was a choice: a choice made time and again by nations with different histories, languages, interests and, often, painful memories, to link their futures,” he said in his first remarks at the “Charlemagne Prize” ceremony in Aachen, Germany.
The importance of the award and the “true European”
The prime minister noted that this award honors not only those who believed in Europe, but also those who helped it endure moments of serious danger. “Those who were able to see beyond the horizon and prepare us for an uncertain future. Today, we honor one of those true Europeans: Mario Draghi.”
“No country suffered more than Greece during the Eurozone crisis. We are not only grateful to those who saved the euro, but also to those who fought hard to convince everyone at the time that the Eurozone was only as strong as its weakest link. Thank you, Mario, for believing in our persistence. Thank you, Jean-Claude, for supporting my country at a time when skeptics insisted that Greece could not be reformed,” the prime minister stressed.
Europe’s strategic autonomy
At another point in his greeting, Mr. Mitsotakis pointed out that strategic autonomy simply means that Europe must be able to take sovereign decisions.
“We must not be permanently dependent on others for the technologies that shape our economies, the defense capabilities that protect our citizens, the energy that powers our industries, or the inputs to our industry that sustain our prosperity. Strategic autonomy is, at its core, an act of responsibility, self-respect and long-term resilience. This is the new meaning of the phrase “whatever it takes”: competitiveness, security and the possibility to act on our own initiative”, he underlined.
The role and course of Mario Draghi
Addressing Mario Draghi, Kyriakos Mitsotakis told him that his life is characterized by spiritual seriousness, personal discipline, devotion to institutions and the courage to assume a leadership role at times when hesitance would involve much greater risk than bold action.
“You have served your country and Europe as an economist, as a central banker, as president of the European Central Bank, as prime minister and now again as one of the most important voices in the debate about the future of Europe,” he said, noting that Mario Draghi was a source of inspiration for what it really means to serve the public.
Europe is looking in the mirror
“A sense of responsibility, not only towards your country but also towards the European project as a whole, has always been your moral ‘compass’. Perhaps the most profound characteristic that runs through your long career is the fact that you helped Europe to look critically at itself in the global economic and geopolitical ‘mirror’. Europe, as you know, has always been distinguished for procedures, consultation and compromise. These are not weaknesses, this is how a Union of Democracies works.”
The historical “whatever it takes” and Greece
The prime minister recalled the words of Mario Draghi when in 2012 Europe faced the crisis and governments were divided as markets questioned the future of the single currency.
“He spoke the words that changed the course of the euro’s history: “As part of our mandate, the European Central Bank is ready to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro. And believe me, that will be enough.” You didn’t even have to raise your voice, Mario. The path from the most typical example of the Eurozone crisis to the presidency of the Eurogroup was long and painful. But one thing is certain: the Greek people proved worthy of Europe’s trust,” he noted.
Europe’s current challenge
Today, the prime minister emphasized, the risk does not concern the possible collapse of the euro but the gradual erosion of Europe’s competitiveness.
“This is the warning at the ‘heart’ of the Draghi report. We should not treat it as just another document to be discussed at conferences organized by think tanks. This is a wake-up call. At the same time, it is also a detailed action plan for what needs to be done. It reminds us that economic power is not a luxury, competitiveness is not a narrow economic concept. These are the foundations for everything else we value: our social model, our global influence, our democracy and the opportunities for the next generation.
In 2012, the phrase “whatever it takes” meant keeping the euro. Today, the question is what these words require of us now”, continued Mr. Mitsotakis who, among other things, emphasized that Europe must become a place where ideas can be turned into businesses and businesses can become global leaders.
Security and the geopolitical dimension of Europe
“Secondly, Europe must seriously address the question of security, in the broadest sense of the term. Russia’s war against Ukraine shattered the illusion that peace on our continent was officially in place and would never be challenged. However, security today extends far beyond defense. It includes energy, cyber resilience, borders, critical infrastructure, technology, supply chains and protecting our democratic institutions. A Europe that cannot protect itself cannot be fully sovereign”, he underlined and added:
“Third, Europe must build real strategic autonomy. Strategic autonomy, as we have discussed many times in the Council, does not mean isolation, does not mean protectionism, does not mean anti-Americanism. It does not mean that Europe is moving away from its allies. On the contrary, a stronger Europe is a better ally, a more capable Europe is a more reliable partner, a Europe that concludes trade deals with partners who share the same values is a confident Europe.”
Mr. Mitsotakis then emphasized: “If we want to deal seriously with the issue of Europe’s security, then our collective defense must become a central element of our geopolitical thinking. The mutual assistance clause – Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union – provides the framework. The time has come to make it operationally credible, politically meaningful and practically applicable in times of crisis.”
Funding and a common European future
The prime minister also said that recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, in particular the immediate and decisive support offered by member states – including Greece, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain – to Cyprus, prove that this principle is not abstract and that it can guide real European solidarity and action.
“This is an ambitious agenda, it requires ambitious funding. Private capital must play a leading role. That is why it is so important to complete the Savings and Investments Union. However, public investment will also be crucial. Our shared priorities must be reflected in a European budget that meets our ambitions.
And where we face truly common challenges, such as energy and defence, we should remain open to common European borrowing. Because common goods justify common tools and common challenges require common courage and the necessary compromises. We all have to sacrifice something in order to strengthen Europe as a whole”, he underlined.
