French President Emmanuel Macron addressed his host Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Greeks folks saying in Greek saying “Ελλάς Γαλλία Συμμαχία” – Greece France Alliance – upon his arrival in Athens on Friday.
After touring the frigate Kimon, a Belharra made in France and enjoyed official lunch and dinner together with Mitsotakis signed nine strategic partnership agreements to deepen the bilateral relations and renewed the defense agreement signed in 2021.
“We will stand by Greece, if it is attacked,” Macron stressed during an interview.
Both Mitsotakis and Macron highlighted stronger security cooperation, economic opportunities and closer alignment within Europe and international institutions.
The nine agreements signed on Saturday span across a wide range of sectors, including defense, energy, technology, education, migration, culture, environment, innovation and research.
Defense and security at the forefront
A central element of the package is the renewal of the bilateral defense and security agreement first signed in 2021. The updated deal will remain in force for five years and will be automatically renewed unless terminated by either side.
The agreement includes a mutual assistance clause in the event of an attack, underlining the depth of strategic alignment between the two countries.
The nine agreements in detail
According to daily to vima, the agreements signed between Greece and France include:
- An enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership framework
- Renewal of the bilateral agreement on defense and security cooperation
- A roadmap for closer cooperation between the two countries’ foreign ministries
- A joint declaration on strengthening cooperation in vocational education, training and lifelong learning
- A 2026–2030 action plan for cooperation in higher education and scientific research
- A declaration of intent for cooperation in nuclear technology
- An agreement to establish an intergovernmental organization for digital ocean systems and IT services
- A declaration of cooperation in defense research, innovation and military technologies
- A framework agreement for the continued support and upgrade of missile systems
These initiatives are expected to open new opportunities in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
PS sadly I heard nothing about how many fighter jets. frigates etc we will buy or if French businessmen showed any investing interest in Greece.
