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Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statement following his meeting with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian (Athens, 19.11.2021)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statement following his meeting with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian (Athens, 19.11.2021)Cher Jean-Yves,

D’habitude, quand je suis à Athènes je m’adresse seulement en Grec. Mais aujourd’hui je voudrais faire une exception à cette règle.

Étant donné que tu as un programme fort chargé, je voudrais te remercier pour ta présence.

On s’est déjà rencontrés vendredi passé à Paris, mais ta visite a une valeur symbolique très appréciée.

Maintenant, je vais continuer en Grec.

Relations between our two countries, France and Greece, have been extremely close over time. One would only have to see the photographs that were on display outside the French Embassy until a few days ago, to realize the depth and historic importance of these ties; photographs depicting bilateral contacts between President De Gaulle and President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing with then Prime Minister Karamanlis, up to President Macron with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

France is one of Greece’s most important trading and investment partners, but our ties extend beyond that to encompass all areas, including, I should mention, culture and education.

I would therefore like to express my satisfaction with the presence of the French Minister today in Athens, and even extend our heartfelt thanks, as this year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern Greek state and we ought to be thankful for the way in which France helped in Navarino. Without that naval battle, perhaps the present Greek state would not have existed.

We also note – and we are particularly pleased about this – France’s intention to extend the learning of Ancient Greek in French schools.

The epitome, however, of the unprecedented level of our relations is the Strategic Partnership Agreement. An agreement that includes a Mutual Defense Assistance Clause combined with the procurement of state-of-the-art French weapons systems such as the new Belharra frigates and the Rafale fighters, which create a deterrent against any external threat.

Greece, of course, procures defensive equipment from France. And France supplies Greece because Greece is a country that promotes regional stability.

And you will allow me to state very clearly that we would wish other Member States of the European Union to follow the example of France, and not arm countries which threaten other countries with war, especially countries of the European Union, and destabilize with their conduct and their practice the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

And, of course, countries that do not accept the European acquis, namely UNCLOS and the International Law of the Sea, despite the fact that they are candidate countries to join our European home, the European Union.

But I would like to reiterate something that we, but also the French side, have stressed, that our agreement with France does not threaten anyone. It is not directed against anyone.

Our Agreement provides also for our close coordination on foreign policy issues.

And our meeting today with my dear Jean-Yves is an implementation of a term of this Agreement, as we discussed and examined common challenges and it is very important that there is a consensus between us.

We discussed about the European Union and the upcoming French Presidency, and the priorities that France has chosen for its Presidency. Greece will make every effort for a successful French Presidency.

We will assist the promotion of the triptych “restart, power, belonging” which has been chosen.

We will contribute to the deepening of European integration through the development of European defence, which in our view is fully compatible with our NATO commitments.

We also discussed extensively about the particularly worrying situation in the Sahel region and the risk of instability spreading in the wider region. Greece shares France’s concerns about the Sahel region and is now closely monitoring these developments through our new Embassy in Senegal.

We also discussed issues concerning relations with Sub-Saharan Africa. As you know, a few days ago I made my first trip to a Sub-Saharan African country, in fact a country of the Francophonie, namely Rwanda. And I should say that I made this trip on a French aircraft, a Falcon Dassault.

We look forward to strengthening our relations with the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. Next week I will be in Gabon and Ghana where we will donate vaccines. We will donate vaccines to Algeria as well, because this is our European duty, this is our humanitarian duty. Health is a universal human right and this is the view of the Mitsotakis government.

But I want it to be clear that we are in constant coordination with the French side on issues regarding Africa.

We also discussed developments in the Western Balkans. I regret to say that we are concerned about the situation in the Western Balkans.

We discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina. We discussed the need to send a clear message to the Western Balkans regarding their European perspective.

Greece supports the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia before the end of the year. And I would also like to thank Jean-Yves publicly for inviting Greece to the very successful Paris Conference on Libya. The Conference adopted conclusions which need to be implemented precisely for the sake of Libya and Libyan society.

Finally, we had a thorough discussion on the Mediterranean, on issues related to security and stability. In any case, these issues will be discussed within the framework of the quadrilateral meeting we will have immediately afterwards.

Cher Jean-Yves,

Encore une fois merci pour ta présence ici.

Juste après tes remarques on procèdera à la rencontre avec nos homologues Chypriote et Égyptien.

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