Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias took part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting of defence ministers in Brussels on 28 September 2026, where discussions focused on hybrid threats, developments in Ukraine and the security implications of the situation in the Middle East. The Council also approved European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI) aimed at strengthening Europe’s defence readiness.

Speaking before the meeting, Dendias urged the European Union to give greater attention to security challenges on its southern flank. Alongside the continuing discussion of Ukraine, he pointed to crises around the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb and the wider Middle East. Greece, he said, has long sought to raise awareness of these challenges within the EU and has contributed for years to Operation IRINI and EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. He called for the resources needed to put the EU’s stated approach to security across all directions into practice.

On the sidelines of the Council, Dendias met Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto to discuss cooperation between Greece and Italy on issues affecting Europe’s defence and security architecture. The two ministers also agreed that participation in EUNAVFOR ASPIDES should extend beyond Greece, Italy and France to include contributions from other EU member states. Their discussion reflected the importance both countries attach to a broader European role in an operation addressing threats to maritime security.

Dendias also held talks with Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius on geopolitical risks, security challenges and ways to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. In a brief meeting with Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo, following their earlier talks in Lisbon, the ministers discussed a planned visit by Melo to Athens.

The Brussels meetings placed maritime security and the EU’s wider defence readiness alongside the continuing war in Ukraine on the agenda of European defence ministers. For Greece, the discussions offered an opportunity to press its case that European security planning must account for developments to the south as well as threats elsewhere in the region.

Dendias is scheduled to remain in Brussels on 29 September to join a discussion on military mobility at the Connecting Europe Days event. Other participants are expected to include European Commissioners Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Andrius Kubilius, Romanian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Radu-Dinel Miruță, and European Parliament Vice-President Roberts Zīle. The discussion will address another element of European defence preparedness: the ability to move military personnel and equipment across the continent when required.