A new air is sweeping across the Eastern Mediterranean due to the defense agreement between Greece and France, which is expected to be announced on Tuesday morning (at 10 am Greek time) by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and French President, Emanuel Macron.
The “mega deal” with France – amounting to 5 billion euros – brings Belharra frigates, Gowind corvettes but also a historic defense agreement between Greece and France.
Details of the agreement were discussed at yesterday’s dinner of the French president and the Greek prime minister, while the Ministers of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, and Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, went to Paris, where they had discussions and meetings with their French counterparts.
According to the information so far, this is an agreement that will exceed 5 billion euros and includes the purchase of three French Belharra frigates and three more Gowind corvettes.
The fact that the French submitted an improved offer both in terms of cost and delivery times played a catalytic role in reaching an agreement. What remains to be clarified is whether the three corvettes will be built in Greek shipyards.
The most basic aspect of the agreement is the Doctrine of Defense Assistance, according to which if one of the two countries is threatened or provoked, then the other country will assist it militarily, according to information. In other words, in case of a hot incident with Turkey, France will be able to send military forces, planes, ships, and land forces to defend the sovereign rights of Greece.
The Doctrine of Defense Assistance has political and diplomatic implications and sets up a wall of deterrence against Turkish provocation.
The deepening of the cooperation between Greece and France is essential
“There is a deepening of our cooperation with France,” said the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in an interview with ERT inside the Louvre Museum, while when asked about the defense agreement, he limited himself to saying that tonight (Monday) he would have an extensive discussion with President Macron, and referred to the official announcements for more details.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Emanuel Macron will make statements to the press from the Palais des Champs-Elysees on Tuesday morning.
Asked to comment on whether there is a possibility of a hot incident with Turkey, Mr. Mitsotakis said that “I had predicted in the spring that we would have a quiet summer, I see no reason why we should not have a quiet autumn and a quiet winter.”
He then expressed the view that he prefers to see “the glass as half full”, to add: “There are issues that we can cooperate on with Turkey.”
“International law is the only tool for resolving it,” he said, adding: “Turkey knows very well what our borders are. They are not just the borders of Greece, they are the borders of Europe. We currently have concrete decisions of the European Council that put Turkey before its responsibilities. I always prefer to see the positive side of things. At the same time, however, Greece has an obligation to strengthen its deterrent capability. And we do this in a very systematic and substantial way, always within the framework of our budgetary constraints “.
“I am not in the mood to enter an arms race with Turkey. This is not my intention. “But there are key issues of modernizing the armed forces, after a decade of crisis, which I have a responsibility to address and then pass on to my successor or successor, because you know that these are decisions about armaments programs that have a long horizon.” , stressed and then added: “I will hand over more powerful armed forces to my successor.”
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
How Shops and Markets Will Operate During Easter Holy Week
The Easter holiday schedule has been in effect since April 10, with retail stores open Palm Sunday, and most supermarkets also operating to meet consumer demand for Easter shopping
Why Is the French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle in Piraeus?
Docking in Piraeus after a four-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific region, the admiral of the aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle says, "Greece is our best partner in the Mediterranean."
Riots and Vandalism in Downtown Athens Exarcheia Region
Night of unrest in downtown Athens' region of Exarcheia – 11 Cars Burned, 72 Detentions
Truth Team: Is the PM and his team telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
The Greek government spokesman noted that "a private individual received payment from other private individuals, and for some people this is a horrifying revelation."
Mayor of Athens Announces Strategy to Address Housing Crisis
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas outlined a series of municipal interventions aimed at tackling the housing crisis during a public event co-hosted with the University of Athens
Hatzidakis at Delphi Forum: Train Reform Bill to Cabinet on April 28
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that a draft bill concerning the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) will be brought before the cabinet on April 28
George Tsunis at the Delphi Economic Forum X: ‘Greece Is Important to the United States’
In his interview with OT, former U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis emphasized that “strong economies create stability, and stability fosters peace.”
Airbnb Exec to To Vima: Short-Term Rentals Help Greece, But Regulation Needed
At the Delphi Economic Forum X, Valentina Reino, Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Southern Europe spoke to Editor-in-Cheif of TO BHMA International Edition Odin Linardatou about key issues affecting the platform—ranging from the housing crisis and over-tourism to taxation and U.S. tariffs.
Minister Kerameus Unveils Plans for Labor Market Reforms at Delphi Forum
A new labor bill that aims to significantly simplify procedures in the labor market is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, claims Minister Niki Kerameus.
Delphi Economic Forum X – Tech. Exec., Author Alvin Graylin Talks to To Vima
Graylin argues that throughout history, virtually all technologies have made humanity more efficient, adding that technology has always traditionally functioned as a tool—something a human uses to perform a task better or faster.
