Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias meets Minister of Armed Forces of France Sébastien Lecornu

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Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias meets Minister of Armed Forces of France Sébastien Lecornu

April 14, 2025

On Monday, 14 April 2025, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiasmet with the Minister of Armed Forces of France, Sébastien Lecornu, who made an official visit to Greece.

Following the private meeting of the two Ministers at the Ministry of National Defence, the Greek and French delegations held extensive talks.

The talks were attended by the deputy Minister of National Defence, Thanasis Davakis, the Chief/HNDGS, General Dimitrios Choupis, the General Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Antonios Oikonomou, the Chief/HAGS, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief/HNGS, Vice Admiral Dimitrios Eleftherios KatarasHN, and the Chief/HAFGS, Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.

During the opening of the bilateraltalks of the delegations, the Minister of National Defence stated, welcoming his French counterpart:

"HonourableMinister, I welcome you and your delegation here, at the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence with great joy.

We have already discussed themin our private talks, now we will discuss the further reinforcement of our defence relations, and our strategic cooperation in the framework of NATO and the European Union in greater detail, with our delegations.

I need not repeat that our two countries are connected by common struggles, the common values of liberty and human rights, Democracy, peaceful resolution of disputes, and absolute respect for the legal order.

Also, as you well know, our Agreement, the Strategic Agreement with France, which I had the honour to negotiate and sign, at the Prime Minister's order, is for us, one of the foundations of our defence.

It is thus very important to have an honest exchange of opinions, especially when the international order is under threat. I think that this can create a feeling of safety and stability, further afield even, in the Eastern Mediterranean.

I would like to welcome you yet again, and I can tell you, I look forward to the discussions with our delegations immediately afterwards.

Following the meeting, in the presence of the two Ministers, the signing ceremony of an InterstateConvention was signed, concerning the procurement of 16 EXOCET guided missiles, by GDDIA Director General, Major General Ioannis Mpouras, and the representative of MBDA (Matra-BAE-Dynamics-Alenia), Annie Kristina Ramon.

The two Defence Ministers' Joint Statements Followed.

Mr. Dendias stated:

Minister, my dear friend Sébastien, I welcome you to Athens with great joy. We just completed our discussions on matters of joint interest, in a cordial climate, in the framework of the frequent contacts we maintain in the past few years. The contacts confirmed by articles 1 and 4 of the Strategic Agreement we have signed.

Today, we have completed a fruitful, honest, and amicable agreement, in the framework of our long-time traditional bonds, common values, common trust, mutual respect, which include our personal relations.

Of course, we confirmed the obvious, that Greece and France are close Allies and friends, and that they share a worldview concerningdevelopments in Europe and our broader region.

I cannot but mention the crowning moment, the signing, in 2021, of the Bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreement for cooperation in defence and security. A historic agreement. I had the honour to negotiate and sign it, by order of the Prime Minister, Mr. Mitsotakis.

By article 2 of the Agreement the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both of our countries are safeguarded, as well as our strategic interests.

Greece is ever certain that France will take into considerationGreece's safety and the need to maintain a comparative technologicaldeterrence advantage against the forces of revisionism. It is well known by all, it is no secret, that Greece is not the threat, but is under threat.

Taking the strategic importance of the '21 Agreement into consideration, I think that the bilateral discussions for its renewal must begin.

Today, we had the opportunity to discuss our partnership in the sectors of security, defence, and the defence industry.

We already maintain a close cooperation. This is reflected in the procurement of the three Belharra, and discussions concerning a fourth, the procurement of theRafale, which, with their weapons,are a "key" to deterrence and defence in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Also, you just witnessed the signing ceremony for the procurement of 16 EXOCET missiles, and the contract for the advanced NH-90 helicopters is already in process.

The programmes in process, will allow for, I think, the development of a common strategic culture and worldview.

Also, a close partnership has started to develop in the sector of innovation.

The 1^stFrench-Hellenic Defence Innovation Symposium, held in Athens in December '24 served this purpose.

Also, as you know, we have invited France to participate in this innovation effort, as well as in the "2030 Agenda".

We participate in allied missions. ASPIDES is one of them.

Soon we will visit the frigate "ALSACE", which exercised jointly with the operation's vessels.

Also, we discussed the European Defence Cooperation and the European Defence Industry.

Greece appreciates France's important contributions to conferences, and also in the leading position which France can assume in order to create a common European ecosystem, since we agree that we have to reduce our dependence on third parties.

Also, we have to limit funding towards said third parties, and I mean third parties whose actions are of debatable trustworthiness as far as the strategic interests of our Country are concerned.

We discussed the ReArm Europe Plan, which Greece considers and important foundation, albeit one which needs further discussion.

We have agreed concerning coordination of our efforts and plans with France for encouraging member-states' investments.

I also expressed our opinions concerning SAFE Regulation. I would like to repeat it. Awaiting upcoming negotiations, the security interests of all member-states of the European Union must be absolutely respected.

There must me clear choice criteria. We believe in both a qualitative and quantitative criterion. That is, on the one hand, the partnership should include partners who qualitatively share the principles and values of the EU, and quantitatively fulfil a least limit of compliance with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

I cannot understand how it is that countries that totally diverge from the Common Foreign and Security Policy, that is, with a compliance index of 1%, 2%, 5%, 7%, can participate in SAFE.

I would also like to recognise the French Republic's efforts to reinforce European Defence and to upgrade European capabilities. We are completely ready to cooperate with the French Republic on this. We share the French opinion for the need of reinforcing relations with Washington and the cooperation with NATO, for the safeguarding of Euro-Atlantic security.

We also identify on the importance which should be attributed to the complete application of the Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan.

We had the opportunity to discuss a variety of issues: Ukraine, the Aegean, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, North Africa, the Sahel Region. We will continue the discussion on the last two topics a bit later, during our meal, aboard the frigate "ALSACE".

I had the opportunity to brief Sébastien on my visit to Lebanon, on the decision of the Hellenic government to reinforce the Lebanese Armed Forces. On this matter we would like French cooperation and a common viewpoint.

We discussed Syria. I pointed out the need for the protection of all ethnic and religious communities. I made extensive mention of the Christian community.

Dear Sébastien, in the Eastern Mediterranean and further afield, France has ever been a protector of Greece, and we deeply appreciate your constant support of our territorial integrity, as well as the promotion of the stability of the region. Together, we may continue to build an ever stronger, more secure, and more prosperous future. Thank you very much."

At noon, the two Ministers, jointly visited the French Frigate "ALSACE", at Piraeus Port, where they were briefed concerning its mission.

In his statement, Mr. Dendias pointed out:

is a great joy and honour to be invited by the French Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, to visit the Frigate "ALSACE" and be briefed concerning its mission in the Red Sea.

I want to pointout that there is wide range of weapons systems, which both France and Greece utilise. Systems we can utilisejointly for the security of European citizens, stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The French Republic is a power which respects International Law and the International Law of the Sea, and has a prominent role in our common European family. The support against whichever threat Greece faces is very important to us.

"It is a great joy and honour to be invited by the French Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, to visit the Frigate "ALSACE" and be briefed concerning its mission in the Red Sea.

As you know, these operations are conducted under the Greek command of Operation ASPIDES. Under the command of Rear Admiral Gryparis; and under this command, the frigate "ALSACE" has managed to shoot down Houthi ballistic missiles and drones, something particularly important for freedom of navigation.

As you know, freedom of navigation is something of great importance to Greece, and also the EU and France, a great maritime nation. It affects the quality of life of its citizens, of European citizens. It is very important that Greece, France, and other friendly countries which the Minister mentioned, such as Cyprus and Italy, contribute towards this common effort for safeguarding of the quality of life of European citizens.

I have to mention, however, that I feel particularly glad to be aboard a French war ship. Not only due to the excellent hospitality we Greeks enjoy from the captain and the crew, not only due to the cordiality of the relationship, which is obvious to all, but because I notice the cooperation between the Hellenic and French Navies, betweenthe Hellenic and French Armed Forces, being builton ever stronger foundations.

The procurement of the three Belharra, and the fourth, the offer for which I hopethe Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence will accept, will give us an even greater depth to the cooperation capabilities between our navies. Added to the RAFALE, I think that, together with the French Republic, we are now able to share and utilise a wide range of systems which we share, and can use jointly, for the security of European citizens, and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

France is a power which respects International Law. Which respects the International Law of the Sea, has an outstanding role, is the sole nuclear power of the European Union, of our common European family. The support of France in whatever threat Greece faces is particularly important.

I therefore, thank Sébastien, Minister Lecornu for his presence in Athens and Piraeus today, for the presence of the Frigate "ALSACE" here in Piraeus, and for everything this symbolises".