The General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations Konstantinos P. Balomenos held yesterday, 22 of March, at the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, bilateral consultations (Strategic Dialogue) with Mrs Alice Guitton, General Director for International Relations and Strategy in France during an official visit of Mrs Guitton to Athens.
With his counterpart, Mrs Gitton, the General Director discussed topical issues relating to bilateral defence cooperation, which is at an exceptional level with the execution on an annual basis of a large number of military training activities, exercises and co-training at bilateral and multilateral level.
In addition, they had the opportunity to exchange views on issues of mutual interest regarding NATO, the European Union and the prospects for the European Defence Initiatives as well as the participation of the two countries in these initiatives, with particular emphasis on Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). In this context, Greece and France share a common vision for European Defence and Security and work together to fully exploit the possibilities of the new defence initiatives and the European Defence Fund.
The two officials discussed extensively the security and stability challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the prospects for deepening bilateral defence cooperation to safeguard peace, security, stability and prosperity in the wider region.
The Strategic Dialogue has once again demonstrated the longstanding and excellent relations of cooperation and the strong friendship links between the two countries, both bilaterally and in the context of regional and international organisations. In addition, the General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations accepted an invitation from his French counterpart to resume consultations in Paris and to further explore joint actions.
Finally, Dr Konstantinos P. Balomenos, with a delegation of staff from the General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations, participated in an official dinner hosted by the French Ambassador in Athens, in honour of Mrs Alice Gitton, together with Dr. Athanasios Dokos, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister.
