Yesterday, the two-day French-Greek B2B Security Workshop, organized by GICAN, the DCIS department from the French Ministry of Interior, and the Embassy of France in Greece, was successfully completed.

The Workshop was inaugurated by the Greek Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, followed by the opening speech of Laurence Auer, French Ambassador to Greece. 

Further, the Greek Ambassador in France, Dimitrios Zevelakis, welcomed the workshop and its participants through a recorded message.

The 1st day was dedicated to the presentation of GICAN’s partner in Greece, the Association of Hellenic Defence Manufacturers (SEKPY). After welcoming the French partners on behalf of the Hellenic Defence Industry, the President of SEKPY and CEO of AKMON S.A., Mr. Tassos Rozolis, presented the dynamics and contribution of the Association to the strengthening of Franco-Hellenic business cooperation, practically supporting the strengthening of bilateral industrial and commercial relations between France and Greece in the critical field of Security.

Next, HEMEXPO – Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers & Exporters, and HASDIG – Hellenic Aerospace Security & Defence Industries Group took the floor and warmly addressed this great opportunity for further cooperation between the Greek and French defence industries.

As far as the first day of the workshop is concerned, after the introductory remarks by the honorable guests, each company gave two short presentations. 

Specifically the French mission included 38 companies; Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, ALSEAMAR, Arkeocean, ASMAN TECHNOLOGY, Bureau Veritas Group, CERBAIR, CetraC.io, Bertin IT – CNIM Group, CS GROUP, Defense Conseil International, Delair, DIADÈS MARINE, DIODON Drone Technology, DREAMTEAMAERO, EXAVISION, FACEPOINT®, FFMI Fédération Française des Métiers de l’Incendie, FOSINA, FREGATE by Hynaero, Integris Composites, KERSHIP, Law office Mandraveli, Magirus GmbH, MATISEC, NAVAL GROUP, Nexter (company of KNDS), OCEA Construction navale, OPPSCIENCE, PHOTOSPACE France, Safran, Sercel, SERPIKOM, SIDES, SIREHNA, Survey Copter and Thales.

On the Greek part, 40 companies participated in the workshop: AKMON, ALTHOM, ALTUS, BARRACUDA, CENSUS, DIOPTRA, EIGHT BELLS,  ELEFSIS PORT AUTHORITY, EFA VENTURES, ERGOALARM, ETME, EUROTRADE,  FARAD, FEAC, FOXTROT, FORTH, GLASSART, HED ENGINEERING, HELLENIC AEROSPACE INDUSTRY, HELLENIC INSTRUMENTS, HERON, INASCO, INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT, INTERMAT, INTRACOM DEFENSE, LOGSTAIL, LYSSOS, MELITA MARINE GROUP, MEVACO, MIKRON, MILTECH ; MTIS, NAP ENGINEERING, PARAGON, PARAMOUNT INDUSTRIES GREECE, PLANETEK, PRISMA ELECTRONICS, SATWAYS, SOTIRIA, SPACE HELLAS, SPIRIT AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, TERRA SPATIUM, UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS, and ZONOS.

Following the presentations, two round-tables were held, where company representatives made some serious remarks and gave some interesting insights into the field of security.

The topic of the first panel was “State action at Sea”, which was held with the participation of officials from Altus LSA, OCEA, Serpikom, ETME, and the Hellenic Coast Guard.

Subsequently, the second round-table was held, where panelists from Planetek, IDE, Airbus, the University of Patras, and FOSINA elaborated on “Border Security”. 

The first day was concluded with B2B meetings in view of strengthening French-Greek operational cooperation in Security, followed by a cocktail reception at the French Residence.

During the second day of the workshop, the third round-table took place, where the participants from Thales, Sides, FEAC, and Prisma Electronics discussed the issue of the “Safety of Critical Infrastructure”.

Finally, the last round-table was held, where representatives of Naval Group, Arkeocean, DCT, and Altus LSA talked about the field of UAVs.

The rest of the event provided the opportunity for French and Greek companies B2B meetings as well as in-person contacts with the Greek Ministries and authorities.

Overall, the workshop served as a platform, where bilateral industrial and commercial relations between France and Greece were consolidated on the path for a true security partnership between the two countries.

Also read: Cyprus – France Operational Workshop | Development of partnerships in the Security and Defence Industry Sector