ForMin - The three advantages of our agreement with France

According to Mr. Dendias, the agreement is the successful conclusion of negotiations that began with his French counterpart immediately after taking office two years ago and the result of a collective effort under the Prime Minister.

The Greek-French ties "which have their roots in the Greek revolution and more recently in the special relationship cultivated by Konstantinos Karamanlis, first with General de Gaulle and then with Valerie Giscard de Estein" acquire a "more strategic character".

As the Foreign Minister analyzes, the agreement offers our country three advantages:

"First, Greece is shielded even more from any external military threat," he said, noting that the mutual assistance clause suggests that if Greece is attacked on its territory by any adversary, then the strongest military force in the European Union, the only one with nuclear deterrent will be on our side. "

Mr. Dendias explains that "the importance does not necessarily lie only in helping, but also in preventing", as "any potential opponent of Greece should think twice before deciding to use force against it".

He reminded, however, that the agreement is not directed against anyone, is purely defensive in nature and comes to strengthen a similar agreement, which he signed a year ago with the United Arab Emirates.

Secondly, the agreement strengthens the international presence of Greece and its positions in terms of meeting challenges in the wider region, with close cooperation in the field of foreign policy, the regular coordination of positions between the two countries.

France is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council and plays a key role in security and defense policy in the EU.

Thus, "Greece is upgrading its geostrategic position in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, the Gulf, as well as sub-Saharan Africa, where France continues to maintain strong footholds" and "emerges as a potential bridge between these regions and Europe ».

Third, "Greece, after a decade of introversion, is dynamically returning to building the European vision" and "is no longer the problematic country that threatens the European edifice."

On the contrary, he notes, "it contributes to the strengthening of European defense and through it to the European integration policy, which has always been a goal and vision of the New Democracy".

"The agreement with France is an important step in the development of European defense, in order for Europe to be able to successfully meet security challenges," he said.

"Europe does not have the luxury of being a spectator in the face of threats against its values. "Nor is the EU merely an economic and bureaucratic cooperative," he said.

The Foreign Minister also stressed that "the Greece-France agreement strengthens the division of burdens between the United States and Europe, strengthens the transatlantic link, as well as the European pillar of NATO."

The Greek-French agreement "is not just another bilateral treaty between European partners, it is an important agreement that will affect the shaping of the future of our country's foreign and defense policy. "Ultimately, it is a piece in the common European vision."