Published on :
Greece will buy three new frigates from France, with an option to buy a fourth, as part of a strategic partnership between Paris and Athens, President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Tuesday. The Greek weapons program aims to counter Turkish provocations in the eastern Mediterranean.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis signed a military contract on Tuesday September 28 for the order by Athens of three frigates as part of the strengthening of the “strategic partnership” between France and Greece.
The announcement comes after the cancellation of a huge 55 billion euro submarine contract by Australia, which preferred a strategic partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom.
The acquisition by Greece of three Belharra frigates which will be built in France, in Lorient, for several billion euros, is a “testimony of confidence and demonstration of the quality of the French offer”, Emmanuel Macron told the Élysée after the signing.
The booming Greek arms program against Turkey
Kyriakos Mitsotakis specified that the contract also covered an option for an additional frigate, specifying that this agreement met “the needs of the Greek navy”.
Greece’s booming arms program aims to counter Turkish provocations in the eastern Mediterranean, against which France is one of the few EU countries to have publicly protested in recent months.
The French president also underlined that this strengthened partnership represents a “first daring step towards European strategic autonomy”, a topic which it tries to carry in the face of the evolution of American foreign policy which refocuses its strategic priorities on China.
Athens last year launched a call for tenders for four frigates and the renovation of its Hydra frigates. The French company Naval Group had participated and was opposed to the German TKMS, the Dutch Damen, the Italian Fincantieri and the American Lockheed Martin.
Earlier this month, Kyriakos Mitsotakis had already announced the surprise purchase of six French Rafale fighters, in addition to a previous contract at 2.5 billion euros, signed in January, for 12 used Rafale and six new.
The agreement signed on Tuesday “helps protect the security, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our two states, while promoting security, stability and prosperity in regions of common interest,” said Emmanuel Macron.
“It fits in perfectly with consistency and in full respect of our commitments to the EU and NATO, by strengthening its effectiveness for the protection of our territories and by allowing us to act more effectively and a more coordinated way together for peace and security in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans “, he added.
With AFP
Download Sangre de Muerdago – Noite Album Mp3 Zip
Download Laurel Halo – DJ-Kicks Album Mp3 Zip
Download Alien Cut – Musica Che Sposta Album Mp3 Zip
Download Gotye – Making Mirrors (Deluxe Edition) Album Mp3 Zip
Download Maroon 5 – Singles Album Mp3 Zip
Download Jimi Hendrix – People, Hell and Angels Album Mp3 Zip
Download Richard Marx – Greatest Hits Album Mp3 Zip
Download The Corrs – The Corrs – Original Album Series Album Mp3 Zip
Download Theo Lawrence & The Hearts – Homemade Lemonade Album Mp3 Zip
Download For Those I Love – For Those I Love Album Mp3 Zip
Download Dido – Greatest Hits Album Mp3 Zip
Download Morgan Evans – Morgan Evans EP Album Mp3 Zip
Download Djadja & Dinaz – Spleen Album Mp3 Zip
Download Akae Beka – Kings Dub Album Mp3 Zip
Download BASI – 切愛 Album Mp3 Zip
Download Tina Arena – Quand tout recommence Album Mp3 Zip
Download DREAMCATCHER – Alone In the City – EP Album Mp3 Zip
Download Spellling – The Turning Wheel Album Mp3 Zip
Download Pi’erre Bourne – The Life Of Pi’erre 4 (Deluxe) Album Mp3 Zip
Download Ice Cube – I Am the West Album Mp3 Zip
Download Jimmy Dludlu – Jimmy Dludlu/Portrait Album Mp3 Zip
Download Big Time Rush – 24/Seven Album Mp3 Zip
Download Prince & The Revolution – On Parade in ’86 (Live) Album Mp3 Zip
Download Sandy e Junior – Nossa História (Ao Vivo) Album Mp3 Zip
Download Robohands – Green Album Mp3 Zip