The agreement I signed in Paris a few days ago, together with the Minister of National Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos, in the presence of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is in itself a major success for Greek Foreign Policy.
And for me personally, it is the successful conclusion of a negotiation in which I had actively participated, since I assumed office two years ago.
Our goals remain the same: to ensure our national integrity, to uphold International Law, and to strengthen our foreign policy.
Our goals are served by a series of agreements which I have had the honour to sign: the recent agreement with France, the strategic agreement with the United Arab Emirates, the amendment of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States two years ago and, I hope, with its new amendment in a few days which will further increase the geopolitical footprint of Greece, in the most beneficial way for our national interests.
They are also served by the agreements on the maritime zones with Egypt and Italy, as well as with the agreement with Albania tohave recourse to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
The third objective, that is, strengthening our foreign policy, is achieved through deepening relations with our partners in Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East, through the expansion of horizons with non-traditional partners in Africa, America, and Asia, as well as through our active participation in multilateral organizations.
The recent agreement with France constitutes the latest piece to the puzzle of this architecture.
It shields the country from military threats; it is founded upon common values, such as International Law and especially International Law of the Sea, and strengthens Greece’s voice within the European Union, the UN, the Francophonie, and even NATO.
It may be too early to say whether this agreement constitutes a historic milestone. It is, however, certain that it offers an important opportunity for both the foreign and defence policy of Greece, which we must seize, with national solidarity, confidence in our country’s potential and commitment to the values we have always advocated.