The General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations (GDNDPIR), of the Ministry of National Defence (MoD), within the framework of its responsibilities –for the management of issues of international relations and defence cooperation of the Ministry of National Defence to reach the objectives of the country’s National Defence Policy– continued the annual Strategic Dialogue between Greece and France in order to strengthen the bilateral defence relations of the two countries.
In particular, a delegation of officials from the General Directorates of Defence Policy of the Greek and French Ministries of Defence, headed by the General Director Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos and Deputy Director Vice Admiral Christophe LUCAS, held bilateral consultations on Wednesday 20 September 2023, within the framework of the 3rd Greece-France Strategic Dialogue in the “IOANNIS KAPODISTRIAS” hall of the Ministry of National Defence.
The aim of the Dialogue was to further deepen the defence bilateral relations between the two countries on issues of mutual interest regarding transatlantic cooperation, European Defence and Security through the development perspective of the European Defence Initiatives and the participation of the two countries in them [with particular emphasis on Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)] and the joint operational missions at European and international level.
The main pillars of the debate were:
• The analysis of the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the wider geopolitical environment.
• The security situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Balkans and the Sahel, and the prospects for deepening bilateral defence cooperation to ensure peace, security, stability and prosperity in the wider region.
• Joint operational peacekeeping missions (“IRINI”, EMASoH – ATALANTA, etc.).
• The impact of climate change on the defence and security of the two countries, as well as on the operation of the Armed Forces.
• The deepening of bilateral defence relations between Greece and France, within the framework of NATO and the EU.
Following the conclusion of the bilateral consultations, the two officials acknowledging the importance of bilateral defence cooperation in the wider region of Europe, the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean, agreed on a joint agenda of actions, within their remit.
Given France’s international role, as well as the importance of its Strategic Partnership with Greece, this meeting is characterised as of the highest national importance.
