The acceleration of the procedures to renew the Strategic Partnership Agreement on Defence and Security between France and Greece was underlined in statements by Defence Minister Nikos Dendias after his meeting with the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, οn Thursday. The meeting took place aboard the frigate “ Kimon” – the first Greek Belharra frigate – at the Salamis Naval Base.
“ Greece and France are linked by a shared understanding of International Law. We promote peace, security and cooperation and we respect International Law and the Law of the Sea,” Dendias stressed.
He described the frigate “ Kimon” as “ the most emblematic crowning achievement of the strategic cooperation between the two countries.”
Regarding Greek-French relations, Dendias added that they have “ a rich past, a glorious present and a bright future.”
He placed particular emphasis on the importance of the mutual military assistance clause included in the Greece-France strategic partnership agreement, explaining that Greece, through the “ Agenda 2030,” is moving forward “ with planning and confidence, investing in the Armed Forces.”
Furthermore, Dendias explained that, with his French counterpart, they discussed the need to deepen synergies in the field of innovation and defence technology – with the cooperation of the defence industry – and he stressed that these sectors are an “ urgent priority” not only for Greece and France, but for Europe more broadly.
On her part, Vautrin underlined that a new page is being written in Greek-French naval cooperation and described the level of interoperability between the naval forces of the two countries as excellent.
She also referred to the need to deepen defence cooperation at the industrial level and made it clear that both Greece and France do not seek tensions in the southeastern Mediterranean.
The official reception of the French minister at the Salamis Naval Base took place shortly after 10:45 and was followed by the meeting between the two ministers aboard the frigate “ Kimon.”
Later, the Greek minister will host a working lunch for his French counterpart.
