Emmanuel Macron<\/a> and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis extended the defense pact, first signed in 2021, for another five years with automatic renewals thereafter during a ceremony at the Maximos Mansion in Athens.<\/p>\nThe updated agreement includes a mutual defense assistance clause, under which both countries commit to support each other in the event of a threat to their sovereignty.<\/p>\n
The two sides also signed nine agreements covering areas, including education, vocational training, scientific research, innovation, energy, environmental protection, and nuclear technology, marking a broad expansion of strategic cooperation.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a joint press conference, Macron said Greece stands on the front line of major European security challenges, while Mitsotakis described the visit as a reaffirmation of the \u201cGreece and France alliance\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about what France would do if Greece\u2019s sovereignty in the Aegean were challenged, Macron said, \u201cWe will be there,\u201d referring to a previous T\u00fcrkiye\u2013Greece escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at what we did in the summer of 2021, if you look at what we did a few weeks ago in [Greek] Cyprus, for me that is the definition of friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n
At that time, T\u00fcrkiye deployed the research vessel Oru\u00e7 Reis for exploration in an area it stated was within its continental shelf and issued a NAVTEX notice. During the process, there was a maritime contact between TCG Kemal Reis and HS Limnos.<\/p>\n
While T\u00fcrkiye maintained that its vessel continued its navigation within its own operational plan and rights, Greece put forward a different account of the incident. France deployed an aircraft carrier and Rafale fighter jets to the region in support of Greece.<\/p>\n
The extension of the defense agreement between Greece and France coincided with the signing of an agreement between France and Greek Cyprus a day earlier.<\/p>\n
The agreement effectively grants French forces permanent deployment rights and NATO-like privileges on Greek Cypriot territory.<\/p>\n
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![\"Greece,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/69ede8be3a5a98d212b10e56.jpg\")
<\/p>\n