French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Athens in late April to renew the Strategic Partnership Agreement on Defense and Security with Greece. The agreement, which expires this year, is expected to be extended for another five years, until 2031. The visit is anticipated to occur shortly after Easter, with April 22nd and 23rd being the most probable dates for the signing ceremony.
Renewal of Defense and Security Pact
The renewal of the Greece-France Strategic Partnership Agreement on Defense and Security will reinforce the existing strong ties between the two nations. According to sources from Kathimerini, the agreement will likely see the addition of an annex or a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusing on innovation cooperation between Greek and French defense innovation entities.
Innovation in Defense Cooperation
The Greek Center for Defense Innovation (ELKAK) will represent the Greek side in this innovation partnership, while the French Agency for Defense Innovation (AID) will represent France. AID served as a model for the establishment of ELKAK, highlighting the existing synergy and shared vision in defense innovation.
The French side reportedly believes that the 2021 agreement provides sufficient guarantees, including the activation of a mutual defense assistance clause in the event of a violation of sovereignty or territorial integrity of either country. Consequently, Paris favors a simple renewal of the existing text without modifications, extending its duration for another five years.
Potential Political Considerations in France
One of the primary concerns for the French side appears to be the fluid political situation within France. There is a possibility that a renewed agreement could become subject to internal political debate, potentially leading to further delays in its renewal due to bureaucratic hurdles or a different ratification process in the French National Assembly.
Ongoing Defense Collaboration
Athens and Paris already maintain close cooperation in the defense sector, extending beyond previous procurements such as the 24 Rafale aircraft and the four FDI frigates (the first of which, the “Kimon,” has already been delivered). This collaboration also encompasses a range of exercises at various levels, including recent land operations.
In the near future, the Hellenic Army will participate with tanks and elements of mechanized infantry units and special forces in the large multinational exercise “ORION ’26,” which is taking place in France from February 8th to April 30th.
Macron’s Broader European Vision
Given the time until April, the full program for Mr. Macron’s visit is not yet known. Notably, in September 2017, just months after his first election as President of France, he delivered a speech on the future of Europe from Pnyx in Athens.
The planned visit in April, if it materializes, will occur a year before the 2027 presidential elections, in which Mr. Macron will not be eligible to participate. Many observers speculate that his visit to Athens, at a critical juncture for the future of the EU, could be part of a broader campaign by the French President to advocate for greater cooperation and cohesion during challenging times for the common European endeavor.
