Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu at the Maximos Mansion in Athens during the latter’s visit. Earlier, Lecornu met with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, where a contract for the purchase of 16 Exocet missiles was signed. The two ministers visited the French frigate Alsace in Piraeus and are expected to visit the Salamina Shipyards.
Notably, Dendias told reporters he will propose the acquisition of a fourth Belharra frigate to the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), with Lecornu expressing a “shared desire to move forward” with the proposal.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister, discussions focused on Greece-France defense cooperation and prospects for further strengthening it, as well as recent developments in European defense and the European defense industry, following the European Commission’s presentation of the ReArm Europe program.
They exchanged views on enhancing European collective defense and strategic autonomy, as well as regional and international developments.
Mitsotakis emphasized that EU defense cooperation with third countries must align with the EU’s strategic interests and foreign and defense policy decisions. He stressed that the security interests of all EU member states must be considered, in line with European Council decisions.
At the start of the meeting, Mitsotakis and Lecornu had the following exchange:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
“Mr. Minister, I warmly welcome you to Athens. France is one of Greece’s closest partners. In defense and security, we have established a vital strategic partnership that continues to deepen.
I understand you had a productive discussion with Minister Dendias. Your visit is significant, particularly as defense cooperation is a top priority on the European Union’s agenda.
Our two countries believe the ReArm initiative provides a solid foundation for achieving the EU’s strategic autonomy—a goal we have pursued together with President Macron from the outset. The aim is to enhance our Union’s readiness and defense industry capabilities, reduce dependencies, and avoid perpetuating them.
Specifically, we must reduce reliance on countries acting against the EU’s strategic interests. We must also protect the national security and defense interests of all member states, without exception.
Dear Minister, thank you again for your visit.”
Sébastien Lecornu:
“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for your hospitality. You always make time for me when I visit Athens.
Given the quality of cooperation—both professional and personal—that you maintain with President Macron, progress between our nations hardly requires ministers. That’s the least we can say.
We had a productive working meeting this morning with your Defense Minister, discussing operational matters and port calls. Thank you for Greece’s warm reception of our ships, in a country where our Navy makes frequent stops, including, of course, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort group.
We also took the opportunity to discuss the situation in Lebanon, the Balkans, the Black Sea, and security issues in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as strengthening our defense through various initiatives you’ve undertaken with other heads of state and government regarding the ReArm program.
To ensure continuity in the shipbuilding and maritime sector—where Greece is a leader and a privileged partner—thank you again, Mr. Prime Minister.”
Greece to Acquire Fourth Belharra Frigate – Statements by N. Dendias
Dendias-Lecornu: Contract Signed for 16 Exocet Missiles
Strengthening defense ties and strategic cooperation between Greece and France within NATO and the EU was the focus of today’s meeting between Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu at the Ministry of National Defense.
Dendias described the meeting as “productive and candid, rooted in our longstanding traditional ties, shared values, mutual trust, and respect.” He added, “We reaffirmed the obvious: Greece and France are close allies and friends, sharing the same perspective on developments in Europe and our broader region.”
Referring to the 2021 Greece-France strategic defense and security agreement, Dendias noted that “Article 2 safeguards the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and shared interests of both nations.”
“Greece is confident that France will always consider Greece’s security and its need to maintain a comparative technological deterrence advantage against revisionist forces. Greece does not threaten but is threatened,” Dendias clarified, adding that discussions on renewing the agreement should begin.
He continued, “We already have close cooperation, reflected in the acquisition of three Belharra frigates, discussions for a fourth, and the acquisition of Rafale jets, which, with their weaponry, are key to deterrence and defense in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.”
Dendias highlighted that, following today’s meeting, a state-to-state contract was signed for Greece to procure 16 Exocet missiles.
“A close partnership in innovation is emerging,” he added, referencing the first Greek-French Defense Innovation Symposium held in Athens in December 2024.
He reiterated that Greece and France participate in joint missions, such as Operation Aspides, and, regarding European defense cooperation and industry, noted that “Greece values France’s contribution to creating a common European framework” to reduce the EU’s reliance on third parties.
On funding third parties, Dendias stressed, “We must limit funding to those acting in ways that undermine our strategic interests.”
He outlined Greece’s stance on the SAFE regulation, stating, “The security concerns of all EU member states must be fully respected. Clear eligibility criteria are needed—both qualitative, involving partners who share EU principles and values, and quantitative, meeting a minimum threshold of compliance with common foreign and security policy. I cannot fathom how countries entirely diverging from this policy could participate in SAFE.”
Dendias acknowledged France’s efforts to strengthen European defense, saying, “We are fully prepared to collaborate with France on this.”
He noted discussions on issues including Ukraine, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel. Dendias briefed Lecornu on his recent trip to Lebanon and Greece’s decision to support the Lebanese Armed Forces. On Syria, he emphasized “the need to protect all ethnic and religious communities,” with particular reference to the Christian community.
Lecornu thanked Dendias for the warm reception, stating, “Maritime defense is the cornerstone” of Greek-French discussions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa.
“For the first time in years, we see such instability and disruption in maritime routes,” Lecornu clarified, adding, “Both Greece and France are major maritime nations.”
He thanked Greece for hosting the French Navy, including the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. “The need for political and operational alignment sets the tone for industrial cooperation, not the other way around,” Lecornu stressed.
He referenced discussions on “various capabilities,” including Mirage and Rafale jets and the Navy as a whole, as well as cooperation in the Red Sea and support for Ukraine.
On electronic warfare, Lecornu noted, “We identified the needs,” and confirmed a “shared desire to advance the fourth Belharra frigate issue.” “We will write a new chapter together,” he said.
Lecornu added that, “based on Greece’s decisions,” France will ask Naval Group to expand its presence in Greece, potentially establishing a subsidiary in collaboration with local stakeholders, particularly the Skaramangas Shipyards.
He described this as “crucial for local jobs” and “a matter of sovereignty and integrity, ensuring the military leadership has a local point of contact.”
“We will continue working together on munitions,” Lecornu said, referencing the Exocet missile agreement with MBDA, stressing that “ships and aircraft must carry the appropriate equipment.”
He noted that France must also renew its equipment, clarifying that “nothing is finalized yet” but affirming his commitment to this goal. Lecornu emphasized the need to increase French naval vessels, which raises production challenges, as “higher demand requires greater equipment and munitions output.”
“We must jointly determine how future production will work and the level of autonomy we aim to achieve. Our cooperation is the foundation,” Lecornu concluded.
