France, Greece sign defence agreement

Paris, September 28

France and Greece on Tuesday announced a multibillion euro defence deal, including Athens’ decision to buy three French warships as part of a strategy to boost its defense capacities in the Eastern Mediterranean amid recurring tensions with longtime foe Turkey.

President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a defence and security strategic partnership in a joint news conference in Paris. “This partnership expresses our will to increase and intensify our cooperation in the defense and security sector based on our mutual interests,” Macron said.

It will “help protect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of both states.” Greece will purchase three French frigates to be built by defense contractor Naval Group in Lorient, in western France. The three-way strategic defense alliance announced by Australia, the UK and the US came as a shock to French officials.

Tensions between Greece and historic regional rival Turkey have increased in recent years over gas exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean and waters between the two countries. — AP

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