The Franco-Greek defence agreement refers to the defence agreement signed between France and Greece on 27 September 2021, which includes a mutual defence clause (article 2) should either be attacked by a third country.[1][2][3][4][5] The agreement was accompanied by a defence procurement deal worth €3 billion where France would supply Greece with frigates and corvettes.[6] It was signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, French Defence Minister Florence Parly, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.[7] It was ratified by the Greek Parliament on 7 October 2021 by a vote of 191 for to 109 against.[8][9][10]
The agreement came two weeks after the surprise announcement of the AUKUS security pact by Australia, United Kingdom and the United States where Australia also cancelled a €35 billion deal for 12 French diesel-electric submarines. After AUKUS was announced and the French deal cancelled, Macron sought to build a more autonomous defensive posture for Europe less reliant on US protection. Macron stated that this defensive agreement was "to take responsibility of the European pillar within NATO and draw the conclusions that we are asked to take of our own protection." The Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis echoed Macron's statement, saying, "This opens the door to the Europe of tomorrow that is strong and autonomous, capable of defending its interests."[11]
For the first time it is clearly stipulated that there be military assistance in the event of a third party attacking one of the two states.
— Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, [8]
- ^ "The Entire France-Greece Defense and Security Agreement". Greek Reporter. 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Greece and France ink 'historic' defense agreement". eKathimerini.com. 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Greece-France agreement – What it signals – the mutual defense assistance clause". 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Greece, France ink deal for warships, enhanced security ties". Yeni Safak. Anadolu Agency. 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Greek lawmakers ratify major defense pact with France". Associated Press. 7 October 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
voa1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Greece and France ink 'historic' defense agreement". Defense Exhibition Athens. 28 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Greek parliament approves defense pact with France". Reuters. 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Greece ratifies landmark intra-NATO defence pact with France". Al Jazeera. 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Greece and France give European strategic autonomy a shot". Atlantic Council. 7 October 2021.
- ^ "France inks Greek defense deal after losing sub contract". Politico. 27 September 2021.
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