The first Belh@rra has been launched: A historic moment for European defense, Panagiotopoulos said

The Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended today, Monday, November 7, 2022, the launching ceremony of the first frigate FDI FR1 (s.s. Belharra), which is intended for the Naval Forces of France, at the shipyards of the “Naval Group” in Lorient.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos delivered the following speech:

“Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a special honor and pleasure to be, for the second time this year, in Lorient, at the facilities of NAVAL GROUP, on the occasion of the launching of the frigate Amiral Ronarc’h (Amiral Ronarc’h) for the French Navy. The world’s first digital Defense and Intervention frigate.

This is, of course, a historic moment, not only for France and the French Navy, but, I would add, for European Defense and Europe’s strategic autonomy.

Precisely, for these reasons, it is a privilege and an honor to be here today and to be able to share this special and unique moment, together with my dear colleague, Minister Mr. Sebastian Lecorny.

My participation in today’s important event is also a prime symbol of the strong, timeless ties between Greece and France, ties that are based on common values, freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

At the same time, I would like to express the feeling of great satisfaction, because today we are witnessing the progress of the simultaneous construction, here, of the second Defense and Intervention frigate, intended for the Hellenic Navy.

The participation of Greece in the program highlights the strategic nature of the defense cooperation between Greece and France, and constitutes tangible evidence of solidarity, solidarity and mutual assistance in the defense of their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

The acquisition of the new frigates, at the same time as the arrival of the RAFALE aircraft, strengthens, upgrades and strengthens the ties between our countries. It underlines our strong will to further strengthen our cooperation for stability and prosperity in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, based on the rules of International Law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

It is also a milestone in the process of realizing the strategic vision of two partners towards European strategic autonomy, which also contributes substantially to the strengthening of the transatlantic alliance.

Reinforcement that is needed today more than ever, after the Russian attack on Ukraine, and the revisionism in our region, which are a flagrant violation of fundamental principles of International Law.

As during my previous visit, I welcome the cooperation of the Naval Group with Greek companies of the Defense Industry, as is also provided for in the Agreement for the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Greece and France.

We look forward to the expansion of this cooperation, so that it extends to more companies and more programs, and I would like to recognize the decisive contribution of the French Ministry of Defense, in all stages of the implementation of the armament programs, between our two Governments.

I would like to express my warmest congratulations to all who have worked with professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm as such a complex armaments program is moving forward at an exemplary pace. I am sure that it will be completed very soon, so that we can show off the new frigates in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

I would like to thank Group Naval, its staff and our host, President and CEO Mr. Pommele, for organizing today’s visit to Lorient and of course my dear colleague, Minister, Mr. Sébastien Lecorny.

I would also like to wish the Minister every success in his work and in the goals and aspirations of France, especially for the European Defense and Security of the European Union and its Member States.

Thank you”.

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