Greece is a strategic anchor for us in southeastern Europe and a close friend and partner in the European Union and NATO. My visit to Athens today is sending a clear signal that Germany and Greece are forging even closer ties – for a Europe that protects its interests, defends its values and is capable of action in an increasingly turbulent world.

Greece is the cradle of essential values that shape Europe today. These values and established global rules are increasingly being called into question by power politics around the world. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz show that our security, economic stability and open trade routes are inextricably linked.

In the face of these challenges, we Europeans have decided to take on greater responsibility for our own security and defence capabilities. Fortunately, new options are now available to us in this regard: in joint procurement, in European funding and in building a robust defence industry. We intend to make full use of these instruments – particularly with close partners such as Greece.

Our economic cooperation is the foundation for Europe’s ability to assert its interests. Through bold and vigorous reforms, Greece has found its way out of an economic crisis and onto a path of growth. Greece is a dynamic growth market today. In areas such as energy, the digital transformation and infrastructure, there is great potential for even closer cooperation between our countries.

A Europe capable of action also needs a modern EU budget that responds flexibly to new threats and sets clear priorities – particularly in areas where we need to become more independent and resilient. Enhancing the EU’s capability to act also means that we must put our decision-making processes on a new footing in order to address the many crises that we face more quickly and effectively. Deadlocks are something that we can increasingly ill afford, particularly because we want to think strategically about Europe’s future.

EU enlargement is a concrete promise, and tangible progress among the candidate countries must be taken seriously. From Albania to Ukraine, we must offer credible prospects for accession. Greece has a special role to play here. A decisive phase lies ahead during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2027 – and we want to shape this together.