French President Emmanuel Macron may have canceled his official visit to Athens on Greek Independence Day because of a third wave of COVID-19 hitting his country, but French-made Rafale jets will still fly over Athens on March 25.
There is still a significant international presence for Greek Independence Day next week.
French Defence Minister Florence Parley will be in Athens on March 25.
In addition, the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, will attend with his wife Camilla.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis will also be in attendance.
In total, 30 to 50 people with masks and and adhering to social distancing rules will be on the official podium to observe the military parade.
Participating in March 25 celebrations are:
- four American F-16 fighter jets (probably from the Aviano base in Italy)
- four French Rafale fighter jets
- one US KC-135 flying tanker and
- one British Voyager air refueling aircraft
The Russian Admiral Kasatonov frigate will be moored in the Port of Piraeus, along with the French FREMM frigate.
READ MORE: Ambassador Pyatt: American F-16’s will participate in Greece’s Independence Day celebrations.