Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis meets with Polish Undersecretary of State and Government Plenipotentiary for SAFE Magdalena Sobkowiak – Czarnecka

Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis meets with Polish Undersecretary of State and Government Plenipotentiary for SAFE Magdalena Sobkowiak - Czarnecka

April 30, 2026

The Minister of National Defence, Thanasis Davakis, today, Thursday 30 April 2026, met with the Polish Undersecretary of State and Government Plenipotentiary for SAFE, Magdalena Sobkowiak - Czarnecka, at the Ministry of National Defence.

The subject of the meeting was the exchange of opinions concerning the procedure of applying and implementing the "SAFE" Regulation, the potential for bilateral cooperation on joint procurements in its' framework, as well as the possibility of cooperation in the framework of other European financial instruments.

After the ending of the ceremony, Mr. Davakis stated the following:

"Today's meeting with my colleague, Undersecretary of state Magdalena Sobkowiak - Czarnecka, is not simply a bilateral relationship, but an effective step towards further strengthening the strategic partnership between Greece and Poland, in an area which is crucial for the future of European Security: Defence and defence innovation.

Greece has a long experience in National Defence, based on continuous operational readiness, constant participation in allied schemes, and high investment in military capabilities throughout the years.

On Poland's behalf, the strong industrial footprint, as well as its experience in rapidly incorporating systems, create an excellent complementary framework of cooperation.

Beyond our cooperation prospects, which are broad, Polish companies may find reliable partners in Greece, to implement complex SAFE programmes, with an emphasis on co-production, the transfer of know-how, and the development of common value chains.

Our bilateral cooperation transcends the various programmes. It concerns the future of European defence readiness. Be it SAFE or other instruments, the direction is clear: More European defence integration, less fragmentation, and a stronger industrial base.

The Greek - Polish cooperation in the defence sector is not simply a bilateral option. It is a strategic investment in Europe's resilience".

The talks were also attended by the Prime Minister's National Security Advisor, Thanos Dokos, the Executive Board member of the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation, Panagiotis Papageorgiou, the General Director of the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments, Major General Ioannis Bouras, the HNDGS/F Branch Director, responsible for issues of Transformation, Innovation, and Defence Technologies, Major General Georgios Panousis, and representatives of the HNDGS and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry, the Hellenic Defence Systems, the Hellenic Aerospace Security & Defence Industries Group, and the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Material Association.