Athens satisfied with US reax to landmark defense agreement between Greece, France

A Greek foreign ministry spokesman on Wednesday expressed Athens’ satisfaction with Washington’s reaction to a landmark bilateral strategic military and defense agreement signed by Greece and France earlier in the week.

Besides the procurement of state-of-the-art French-made frigates (3+1) and the possible acquisition of three corvettes, the agreement cites a eyebrow-raising mutual defense assistance clause.

Asked about the development on Tuesday, a US State Department spokesperson merely noted that “…the US and Greece enjoy a robust defense relationship rooted in our shared values …We strongly support Greece’s role in creating stability in the region and look forward to continuing to work closely with Greece to advance our shared goals for peace and prosperity in the region including through our robust relationship with the Hellenic Navy.”

The same State Department spokesperson added that although the US side has not seen details of the agreement, a longstanding US-Greece Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) was updated in 2019.

In Athens a day later, Greek spokesman Alexandros Papaioannou said the bilateral agreement had been discussed and prepared for the past two years, with the final details filled in last week during an informal meeting between the French and Greek foreign ministers.

Besides the value of the pact, reported as up to five billion euros by Greek media, the other highlight is article II, which cites a “… mutual defense assistance clause in the event of an attack by one of the two countries on its territory.”

The wording is compliant with the UN Charter’s Article 51, which refers to the right of self-defense.