Minister of National Defence N. Dendias Participates in Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence and EU Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers’ Configuration in Brussels

Minister of National Defence N. Dendias Participates in Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence and EU Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers' Configuration in Brussels

February 12, 2026

Today, Thursday 12 February 2026, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiasparticipated in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence in Brussels.

During the meeting, the Minister of National Defence briefed his counterparts on the modernisation of the Hellenic Armed Forces through the implementation of the "Agenda 2030", the HCDI, and Achilles' Shield.

The Minister of National Defence, upon his arrival at the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence, made the following statement:

"Just as we did yesterday at the meeting of EU defence ministers, today we will discuss within the framework of NATO during a critical period for the Alliance. A critical period for the Democracies of this world.

We have to discuss the development of our capabilities in NATO, just as we discussed yesterday within the framework of the EU the increase of our defence production and the creation of new capabilities.

As far as Greece is concerned, I come to this meeting with the confidence of our great reform efforts, the "Agenda 2030", our holistic approach with "Achilles' Shield" and its five levels (sea, land, air, space, and cybersecurity), as well as the capabilities developed through the sacrifices of the Greek people. I.e. the fact that Greece exceeds 3% of GDP for defence expenditure. And if we also calculate other relevant funds, it approaches - if not exceeds - 5%.

Furthermore, because I saw reports by many media, I would like to clarify that there is no scheduled meeting here in Brussels with my Turkish counterpart Mr. Güler. From what I am informed, Mr. Güler is not even here in Brussels.

Thank you very much!"

On the margins of the meeting, Mr. Dendias had a private meeting with the Minister of the Armed Forces of France, Catherine Vautrin (the third in just a few weeks), and the Minister of Defence of Bulgaria Atanas Zapryanov. The focus of my bilateral meeting with Catherine Vautrin was the strategic defence relations between Greece and France and the acceleration of the renewal of the Strategic Partnership Agreement for Cooperation in Defence and Security. With his Bulgarian counterpart, Mr. Dendias discussed the strengthening of the defence ties between Greece and Bulgaria.

Yesterday, Wednesday 11 February 2026, the Minister of National Defence participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers' Configuration, which also took place in Brussels. During his intervention, he informed, among others, on the progress of the implementation of the "Agenda 2030", "Achilles' Shield", and the HCDI. Within the framework of the Council, he exchanged views with his European counterparts on the implementation of the EU Defence Readiness Roadmap, the Strategic Review 2026, and the geostrategic developments, including the situation in Ukraine, and their impact on the EU's security.