Defense: France sells three frigates to Greece

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Elysee Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron on September 28, 2021. AFP - LUDOVIC MARIN

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A contract, as part of a strengthening of the strategic partnership, was signed between the two countries on Tuesday, September 28 morning.

For the French president, this partnership contributes to strengthening European sovereignty.

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The signing of a military contract for the order by Athens of three frigates was announced during a joint press conference on Tuesday, September 28 at the Elysee Palace.

Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis both spoke to seal this strategic partnership between France and Greece.

This partnership is in perfect coherence and in full compliance with our commitments to the EU and NATO, by strengthening its effectiveness for the protection of our territories and by allowing us to act more effectively, to more coordinated way together for peace and security in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans.

it thus contributes to the independence of the European Union.

Emmanuel Macron

This order from Greece for three

Belharra-

type frigates to

be built in France, in Lorient, comes after the cancellation of a huge 55 billion euro submarine contract by Australia, which preferred a partnership strategic with the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Emmanuel Macron insisted on this "

testimony of confidence and demonstration of the quality of the French offer

", from Greece which has been trying in recent months to counter Turkish provocations in the eastern Mediterranean.

France is one of the rare countries of the European Union to have denounced them publicly.

Earlier this month, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the surprise purchase of six French

Rafale

fighters

, in addition to a previous 2.5 billion euro contract, signed in January, for 12

Rafale aircraft

. used and six new.

The multibillion-euro deal also carries an option for an additional frigate.

(

with AFP

)

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