The defense ministers of Greece and France, Nikos Dendias and Catherine Vautrin, met aboard the frigate Kimon to reaffirm a shared vision for Mediterranean stability and European strategic autonomy.
Standing on the deck of the newly built frigate Kimon, Dendias emphasized the deep ideological alignment between Athens and Paris. “Greece and France are united by a common understanding of international law,” Dendias stated.
“Together, we promote peace, security, and cooperation, rooted in steadfast respect for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” he added. “We welcome a strong French defensive presence in the region and, to that end, we are accelerating the renewal of the Greek-French Defense and Security Cooperation Agreement.”
Υποδοχή Βοτρέν από Δένδια στη φρεγάτα «Κίμων» pic.twitter.com/hllD7qX833
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France and Greece to sign Mutual Defense Assistance Clause
Dendias said Greece and France agreed to conclude negotiations within one to two months. “The agreement will include a Mutual Defense Assistance Clause, as well as military and defense industry cooperation. This pact ensures stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he emphasized, adding:
“The frigate Kimon represents the pinnacle of our landmark cooperation. Following the planned upgrades, these frigates will be equipped with strategic weaponry. The decision regarding the FDI program is not merely about procurement; it concerns the manner in which Greece protects its sovereignty and sovereign rights. The acquisition of the fourth frigate ensures strategic depth.”
Future technologies and strategic autonomy
Minister Dendias highlighted that the partnership is evolving beyond traditional naval hardware into high-tech domains. Priority areas for joint research include:
- Integrated Air Defense and Anti-Missile Systems
- Satellite Communications and Electronic Warfare
- Unmanned Systems (Drones)
“Europe must be able to guarantee its own security,” Dendias asserted, noting that, while the partnership works in tandem with NATO, the goal is a stronger European security footprint. This will be evidenced in upcoming large-scale exercises like Orion 2026, as well as the quadrilateral cooperation involving Cyprus, Italy, and Egypt.
Franco-Greek alliance is “pillar of stability”
Minister Vautrin echoed the sentiment of vigilance in the Eastern Mediterranean, calling the Franco-Greek alliance a “factor of stability, security, and reliability for both the Mediterranean and Europe.”
She placed heavy emphasis on interoperability, stating: “Our navies will share a common operational language for decades to come. It is time for Europeans to move forward together, producing our own equipment and reducing dependence on third parties. European taxpayers’ money should be spent on European programs that generate domestic wealth.”
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