The need for a fair distribution of immigration burdens, within the framework of the Agreement on Migration and Asylum, was underlined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis in his joint statements with his French counterpart Stéphane Cezournet during his visit to Athens.

At the same time, he emphasized, “we must face the external dimension of immigration and coordinate our actions to fight the networks of traffickers who take advantage of people’s need and pain.”

Mr Gerapetritis congratulated him Stéphane Cezournet who was nominated today by French President Emmanuel Macron for the position of European Commissioner for France.

He also congratulated France for the extremely successful organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and conveyed Greece’s gratitude “for the particularly honorable position reserved in the ancient Greek spirit, especially in the closing ceremony of the games”.

As he pointed out, Greece and France developed over time a strong strategic relationship, which is based on common principles and values: enlightenment, democracy, the rule of law. “These principles were, moreover, those that gave birth to the great French revolution, a source of inspiration for the Greek national liberation struggle in 1821”.

He also referred to France’s support for Greece during the difficult times the country experienced, such as the difficult time of the major economic crisis.

“We work closely at all levels with our friend France, partners in the EU, allies in NATO and especially at the bilateral level in good lasting cooperation. At the UN, France supported the candidacy of Greece for its election to the UN Security Council”, said the Greek Foreign Minister and added: “We look forward to the cooperation between the two states, the coordination of actions and our common European positions in the Security Council in the two years 2025-2026”.

He also noted that with Paris there is a common understanding on the key issues of the European and global political scene. “We believe deeply in the European project and we want the European Union not only to survive, but to prosper,” he emphasized.

As the Foreign Minister mentioned, the Draghi report is an occasion for reflection on the future of Europe and the ever-increasing challenges we are called to face. “Your personal contribution from your new position at the European Commission will make a key contribution to the competitiveness and prosperity of the European economy,” he noted.

He also emphasized that there is a common understanding of the geostrategic importance and security architecture of the Mediterranean and mentioned that the French and Greek initiatives, such as the “Union for the Mediterranean”, the current “MED9” are indicative of the importance that the two countries invest in the regional cooperation and dialogue.

The two countries, he also said, share the challenges of immigration, both as countries of first reception, while he recalled that the Mediterranean is the epicenter of the climate crisis, with Greece already experiencing its consequences in an extremely painful way. He thanked the French minister for the assistance in dealing with the big summer fires in Attica.

Regarding immigration, the two ministers discussed the coordination of their actions, “so that we can prioritize our actions regarding the implementation of the Pact and have a common path towards the integration of the acquis”.

In the midst of geopolitical realignments, Mr. Gerapetritis said, it is the first time that there are so many open fronts in the wider region, such as the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, the war in Gaza, the instability in the South Caucasus and the rapidly deteriorating situation in the region. of the Sahel.

The situation in the Middle East and the need for an immediate ceasefire to stop the humanitarian catastrophe and the further spread of hostilities in the Middle East were also discussed.

In the Red Sea, Greece and France cooperate closely within the framework of the “ASPIDES” operation to secure freedom of navigation and prevent environmental disaster following the attack on the Greek-flagged tanker “SOUNION”.

“As in the Middle East, so also in Ukraine, Greece maintains a position of principle towards international law,” he said and noted that he condemned the Russian invasion from the beginning as a revisionist act and a gross violation of International Law.

He also noted that both countries are concerned with the architecture of the EU’s decision-making process and the future of Europe, which is directly linked to its enlargement.

“More than twenty years after the adoption of the Thessaloniki Agenda, Greece, like France, remain staunch supporters of the European perspective of the Western Balkans”, he noted and added that a necessary condition for the success of the perspective is respect for the rule of law and of minority rights, universal – and not selective – compliance with international law.

In particular, regarding the Prespa Agreement, he reiterated that, “as an international treaty, it has a mandatory character, binds the contracting parties and produces obligations that must be respected to the fullest extent”.

In the economic sector, trade, energy and investments, there is considerable scope for strengthening the already close bilateral relations, he noted, while he also referred to the strengthened cooperation in the field of culture, as well as within the framework of the International Organization of Francophonie.

French Foreign Minister: French-Greek cooperation is essential and we must maintain it

“The French-Greek cooperation is essential for us and we must maintain it”, underlined the French minister, after thanking the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister for the trust they showed in him, proposing him for the position of the French Commissioner .

He thanked Greece for its contribution to the security of the Olympic Games, as it had sent 10 police officers to France since July, while he congratulated the Greek athletes for their good results.

“2024 marks the third anniversary of the strategic partnership,” he said. “It is an indication of the mutual solidarity and trust we have in all areas.”

“We have particularly strengthened our ties in terms of military cooperation: the Rafale military aircraft and the Belhara frigates we are supplying to Greece are a typical example of this cooperation,” he said.

“Together we contribute to European defense and European security”, the foreign minister emphasized and noted that “we will continue our joint cooperation to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in the coming months”.

He pointed out that there is close cooperation in the field of civil protection this summer, with France sending 180 firefighters, 55 vehicles and 1 water-spraying helicopter to our country, as part of RescEU.

On behalf of France, he expressed full solidarity with those who suffered the consequences of the terrible fires, while emphasizing that they do not forget Greece’s contribution in the summer of 2022 to the fires in South-West France.

“The two countries know how to support each other in difficult times. The tragic events with floods in Central Europe show the need for European solidarity”, he stressed.

Referring to immigration, he underlined that “we must do everything so that the European Pact on Asylum and Migration is implemented”. “It is a big stake for Europe to show that the texts that have been voted in Europe are applicable as soon as possible, to also prove the effectiveness of the European project. There must be no different approaches to immigration in Europe,” he stressed.

Regarding strategic European defence, he highlighted the need for Europe to reduce its dependence on key sectors, critical raw materials, digital technology and energy.

He congratulated Greece on its “brilliant election” for a two-year term in the UN Security Council and noted that it is “an important forum to continue to defend a rules-based international order”.

“We need to prove that international forums create real, tangible results. To reorganize world governance, to see how the southern countries will not move away from the northern countries,” he said.

“Greece’s participation in the UN Security Council is of the utmost importance for us”, noted the French minister and expressed confidence that French-Greek cooperation will be fruitful in terms of the climate and security agenda, women, peace and security, the protection of children in armed areas, the promotion of maritime safety.