At the center of the talks were the further strengthening of the strategic partnership between Greece and France, the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and energy security in Europe, as reported by the head of French diplomacy.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna expressed France’s solidarity with Greece against Turkish threats against its sovereignty to her Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, during their meeting in Paris on Friday evening.
This is the first meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries, after the formation of the new French government, following the parliamentary elections in June.
At the center of the talks were the further strengthening of the strategic partnership between Greece and France, the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and energy security in Europe, as reported by the head of French diplomacy.
The two ministers also discussed regional issues, such as the issue of Libya and the situation in the Western Balkans.
Referring to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Ms. Kolana noted that “it is a special area of ​​attention for the two countries” and added: “I would say it is a matter of concern.”
I informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇫🇷 @MinColonna about the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean & we examined the developments in the region. I also informed about the escalation of Turkish rhetoric, actions that destabilize the region & underlined the importance of European solidarity. pic.twitter.com/whzz7HxmFM
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) July 29, 2022
“France, as it has expressed many times, and in fact through the mouth of the French president in May, is an ally and a friendly country of Greece and is absolutely in solidarity against any attempt to subvert Greek sovereignty. We are monitoring the situation and you can really count on us,” said the head of French diplomacy.
“We are extremely happy for this old friendship that unites France and Greece and of course in the context of our own partnership that has been renewed since last September” the French foreign minister underlined.
Also, Katrin Colonna expressed her thanks to Nikos Dendias for Greece’s solidarity during the devastating forest fires in France, with the assistance of 2 Canadair.
Mr. Dendias described France as one of Greece’s most important strategic partners, pointing out that “principles and values ​​connect us” and that “our relations have been forged for centuries”.
The Greek foreign minister, pointing towards Ankara, stated that it is regrettable that there are revisionist phenomena in the 21st century. He informed his French counterpart about the escalation of Turkish rhetoric and provocative actions that destabilize the region and underlined the importance of European solidarity.
“Thanks to the French weapons, Greece’s deterrent power is strengthened against any external threat,” noted Mr. Dendias.
He thanked France for “always being by our side without hesitation”, but also for sending 25 French firefighters who will stay in Greece in August.
Earlier, Mr. Dendias had talks in Athens with German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock.
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