Greek-French alliance | Three Belh@ara and mutual military assistance announced

Defence Redefined

28/09/2021

At the joint press conference, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Emmanuel Macron officially announced the further strengthening of relations between the two countries in the field of defence and security with the signing of the Belh@ara agreement on three frigates and the potential of signing another defence agreement on mutual military assistance.

The French President stated that the relations between the two countries are already close and are deepening. The agreement is not only considered a contribution to the defence sector, but also to industry. The aim is also to develop – in a European context – opportunities for strengthening the presence in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He added that just as France fought in the past for the liberation of Greece, it will do so now. Responding to a journalist question, he said that Greece is at the forefront and European solidarity demands its strengthening and assistance in case of invasion or aggressive action. Regarding the AUKUS agreement, he stated that the French strategy in the Pacific remains, while there are expatriates and French troops in the region.

For his part, the Greek Prime Minister spoke of a historic day as the relationship between the two countries in the field of defence and security is being upgraded at all levels, strategic and allied. He also referred to joint efforts to address other threats such as the climate crisis. He stressed that the two sides share common values, freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and international law, with particular reference to the Convention on the Law of the Sea. He also referred to the importance of Greek culture and the French Enlightenment in the establishment of a European community. Finally, the Prime Minister stated that the agreement does not oppose the EU and NATO but strengthens them instead, as it is the first step towards European strategic autonomy.

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