Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ speech at the online discussion on the Greece-France Strategic Relationship (Athens, 18.10.2021)

“The Greek-French agreement leaves a particularly increased European footprint on the security conditions of the Southeastern Mediterranean through the mutual assistance clause, something that the Greek side had always requested”, stressed Alternate Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis in his speech at the online event themed: “The Greece-France Strategic Relationship and the upgrade of the Geopolitical footprint of the country in the Eastern Mediterranean”, organized by the “New York College” Educational Group.

In particular, Mr. Varvitsiotis underlined that the agreement between Greece and France is summed up in a system of deepening our country’s relations with the whole region, which includes the strategic relationship with Egypt, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, but also a closer relationship with Saudi Arabia.

He described as “historically consistent” the choice of Greece to develop strong strategic and political ties with France, something that is reflected in the attitude of the French leaders, who have supported Greece in crucial times over the last 60 years.

The Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs also pointed out that “the completion of this strategic alliance with France, which extends in the field of armaments, contributes to the deepening of Europe’s strategic autonomy.”

Referring to the Greek-US defence agreement, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that the United States is proceeding with an enhanced defence agreement with our country, with these political positions and for a five-year period, a fact which demonstrates that Greece and the United States are indeed going through a period of strong strategic links.

Vice Admiral (Retd.) Vassilios Martzoukos, Honorary Commander-in-Chief of the Hellenic Naval Academy and Chairman of the Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies, Mr. Stelios Perrakis, Professor Emeritus at Panteion University, Dean of the Law School at the Neapolis University Pafos, Ambassador at Large and Permanent Representative of Greece in the Council of Europe, Mr. Konstantinos Lavdas, Professor of European and Comparative Politics at Panteion University and Mr. Alexandros Mallias, Ambassador (ad hon.), also took part in the discussion.

The discussion was moderated by journalist Yiannis Politis.