Mitsotakis at Manama Dialogue calls for more European countries to join Aspides
The video discussion took place on 30 October. Calls for broader participation and positions on cables and navigation do not amount to a new operational decision.
Updated 30.10.2026 · 22:06, Athens time — What changed
Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated by video link on 30 October 2026 in an IISS Manama Dialogue discussion with Bastian Giegerich, according to the full transcript published by the Prime Minister’s Office. The previously scheduled participation has now taken place; he did not attend in person in Bahrain.
Call for broader participation in Aspides
The prime minister called for a larger core of European countries to support maritime security in practice, using Operation ASPIDES as an example. He said he did not expect all 27 member states to take part, but argued that broader participation would send a stronger message of cooperation to the Gulf.
This is a political request by the Greek government. The publication does not announce agreement by new participants, the deployment of additional ships or a new EU mandate.
Navigation and subsea infrastructure
Mitsotakis linked the security of maritime trade with energy and living costs. He proposed cooperation and information sharing, including artificial intelligence for maritime awareness and protection of subsea cables.
He reiterated the government’s position against the Turkish-Libyan memorandum and argued that connectivity projects should not be used for geopolitical purposes. These are statements and proposals, not a new judicial ruling or confirmation that planned interconnectors are operating. His 29 October UN address remains in the article history.
Previous updates — history
Updated 29.10.2026 · 18:00, Athens time — What changed
Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired the Security Council’s open debate on emerging technologies and maritime security on 29 October 2026, according to the full text published by the Greek Prime Minister’s Office. The previously scheduled appearance has now taken place.
He called for a global maritime truce allowing commercial vessels to navigate safely even during conflict. He condemned an attack on a Greek-owned ship in the Black Sea and linked insecurity at sea to freight charges, insurance costs and consumer prices. The call is also reported in an accessible Reuters article.
Government positions and the next stage
The prime minister described the Turkey–Libya maritime memorandum as illegal and argued that it has no effect on Greek sovereign rights. These are Greek government positions recorded in the speech, not a new judicial ruling delivered at the meeting.
He urged a stronger European maritime-security presence and better information sharing using satellites, sensors and artificial intelligence. Publication of the speech does not establish adoption of a truce or a new Security Council resolution, or the launch of a new European operation. Tomorrow’s Manama Dialogue appearance remains scheduled, as recorded in the history below.
Previous updates — history
Updated 28.10.2026 · 18:10, Athens time — What changed
On 28 October, the prime minister’s office announced the detailed programme: Kyriakos Mitsotakis is travelling to New York and will chair a Security Council high-level open debate on emerging technologies and maritime security on 29 October, 10:00 New York — 16:00 Athens. The UN’s weekly schedule lists the same subject for that morning.
On 30 October, 12:30 New York — 18:30 Athens, he is scheduled to join a video discussion with IISS Director-General Bastian Giegerich at the Manama Dialogue. IISS confirms the Bahrain event on 30 October–1 November. These are scheduled appearances, rather than discussions already held or decisions taken.
Previous updates — history
Greece assumed the UN Security Council presidency for October, the Foreign Ministry announced on 1 October 2026.
What the presidency means
Rule 18 rotates it monthly in English alphabetical order. Under Rule 19, the president chairs meetings and represents the Council under its authority. Greece cannot decide alone for the Council.
The programme announced on 1 October
Permanent Representative Aglaia Balta presented the month’s key meetings. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was scheduled to chair the 29 October emerging-technologies discussion, emphasising maritime security.
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis was scheduled to chair on children and armed conflict on 26 October, marking 30 years of the UN mandate, and the Women, Peace and Security open debate on 27 October.
Balta said a Ukraine meeting would be scheduled if Council members requested it. Its place among Greek priorities did not establish a date.
These were announced plans, rather than Council decisions or commitments.
Updated 2 October 2026, 09:13 Greek time: dates, chairs and the Ukraine clarification were added.
English translation of the Greek edition · Read in Greek