Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met today with the Defence Minister of France, Florence Parly, at Maximos Mansion.
At the start of the meeting, the Prime Minister said:
Allow me to say a few words in French.
Madam Minister of Defence welcome to Greece, in this truly historic moment, for the signing of the agreement on the purchase of 18 Rafale fighter jets. The airplanes will form the newest squadron of the Hellenic Air Force, setting in motion a programme for the modernization of our equipment covering all three branches of the Armed Forces.
This is the third time that the Hellenic Air Force has put its faith in French industries, given the precedents set by the Mirage F1 planes -about half a century ago- and the Mirage 2000s approximately 30 years ago, with the 2000-5 version coming 15 years ago.
The forebears predecessors of the Rafale jets have already proven their worth in the skies of the Aegean. Pilots are familiar with flight characteristics, a factor that certainly contributed to our decision. Obviously the immediate availability of the aircrafts, which was an important aspect, also played a role.
So, today marks the opening of a new chapter in the long history of military and strategic cooperation between our two countries, as well as new opportunities for the Greek defence industry.
This purchase reflects the doctrine of our national strategy, according to which our defence is a twin pillar to our foreign policy.
Besides, the build-up of Greece’s defensive capabilities has never posed a threat to any country. On the contrary, it has always been a contributor to security in the wider region.
This development indicates the need for direct and closer military cooperation in the Mediterranean at a European level. This “mare nostrum”, as President Macron appropriately calls the Mediterranean, given that vital interests of all EU countries meet there.
In the current framework though, this development also serves as an extra factor promoting the exploratory talks with Turkey. After all, honesty and balance are prerequisites that benefit dialogue for the delimitation of maritime zones, the topic that constitutes the agenda of these exploratory talks.
This year, Greece celebrates 200 years since the start of its war of independence. France’s support was significant back then, as it is now. Not only through the messages emanating from its own Revolution, which served as an inspiration for ours, but also in practice.
Cooperation between Greece and France has come a long way and will go far farther still. History has taught us this. And it is proven by our countries’ choices over the course of time. Steadily aiming at safeguarding peace, stability and cooperation. This is the path we are still following.
Dear Florence, once again welcome to Athens.
Remarks by French Defence Minister Florence Parly
Prime Minister,
First of all, thank you for your warm welcome. My counterpart, Nikos, and I have witnessed some historic moments.
I think I can say that today there has been progress in the bilateral relations between France and Greece, but also in Europe.
Because this strategic partnership that you discussed with President Macron almost a year ago -on 29 January 2020- forms part of a framework that we wish to promote more and more in Europe, while jointly contributing, as Europeans, to the protection of our fellow citizens and our security.
So, I would like to warmly thank the Greek working groups that made it possible to first negotiate and then sign, in record time, such an important contract, which will allow us to further bolster the operational cooperation between our Armed Forces.
2020 was an eventful year, Prime Minister, and we will have a rather busy schedule in the days and weeks ahead, as our two Air Forces will carry out joint drills in a few days. There is also a joint exercise planned for April. And then, when the aircraft-carrier “Charles de Gaulle” goes on patrol in the Mediterranean, I have the impression that it will be escorted by a Greek frigate. Therefore, as you can see, we work both in the short and the long-term, for our bilateral relation and for Europe.
During the meeting there was also a discussion on further expanding the excellent bilateral relations, on defence cooperation and on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
On the Greek side, the meeting was also attended by the Minister of Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the Head of the Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Office Ambassador Eleni Sourani, National Security Advisor Thanos Dokos and the Director of the Prime Minister’s Press Office Dimitris Tsiodras.
