PM Mitsotakis: Today is a historic day for Greece and France

"The signing of the agreement on the establishment of a strategic partnership for cooperation in defence and security not only reflects but reinforces a reality which is known to all, which is that our two countries, Greece and France, have already developed a very strong alliance that goes substantially further than our obligations to each other in the context of the EU and NATO," he added.

"In fact, the areas of foreign and defence policy are an important part but in no way fully exhaust this cooperation ... Our joint efforts have highlighted in the most eloquent way the challenges posed by the climate crisis to the sensitive ecosystem of our common sea, the Mediterranean," Mitsotakis underlined.

"Over time, Greece and France, France and Greece have ties that are permeated by common values. Belief in freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and, of course, respect for and protection of international law, and in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," he said and added: "Today's development comes to consolidate this common prudent course. But it is also an initiative that responds to the demands of the times on our continent. Because today, Greece and France are taking a first bold step towards European strategic autonomy. We have the same vision with President Macron for the development of the necessary defence capabilities and the capabilities of Europe's autonomous response to the challenges it faces."

Mitsotakis also pointed out "the agreement paves the way for an autonomous and strong Europe of the future. A Europe that, as the president said, will be able to defend its interests in its wider neighbourhood, in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the Middle East, in the Sahel. A Europe that has the means, the will and the influence to guarantee world peace and progress, a Europe that will finally align its geopolitical power with its economic power."

"And exactly in the context of this new strategic partnership between Greece and France, after the 24 Rafale fighters of the Air Force, I announce that our country is buying three new French Belharra frigates for our navy, with the possibility of procuring another one. My desire to equip the Greek fleet with modern French frigates obviously has a national motive as it defends our country, but it also has a European motive as it strengthens our common defence industry," the prime minister added.

Mitsotakis also noted that this choice has a Euro-Atlantic aspect because it concerns two partners in the EU and two allies in NATO. "And a Europe that strengthens its defences is ultimately strengthening its own transatlantic alliance," he said.

He then underlined that the connection between the two countries stretches back through the centuries but also through the course of European culture, "because, as you so aptly put it, this could not exist without the foundations of ancient Greek thought. But neither could it grow without the fertile wind of French Enlightenment."

Mitsotakis also stressed the special symbolism of "the fact that we are now signing this important agreement 200 years after the start of my country's struggle to become a free state, a struggle that would not have had a happy ending without the support of France."

Source: ana-mpa