French ambassador to Greece: Greece-France relations ‘closer than ever’

In the Greek-French relations that are “closer than ever” and in the internal political situation in France, which marching with a minority government “must” learn the art of “compromise”, the French ambassador to Greece Patrick Mezonav mentioned in the greeting which he addressed to the official guests at last night’s reception, on the occasion of the national holiday of France, with the leading representative of the Greek government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias.

The French ambassador made special mention of the “Greek Rafales that flew over Paris” during the July 14 national holiday parade.

“The Franco-Greek relationship is closer than ever, strengthened by the strategic cooperation we have signed. Symbolically, Greek Rafales flew this morning (yesterday) over Paris on the occasion of the military parade. The relationship between the two governments is excellent and both peoples have a true mutual appreciation for each other,” said Mr Mezonav.

He referred to the “restart” of economic cooperation and especially the transport, renewable energy and defense sectors, pointing out the “extremely high” number of French tourists visiting Greece this year. “Since the end of the Greek crisis, the economic relationship between the two countries has restarted. Many contracts were signed between the French companies Alstom, Thales, EDF, Vinci, Akuo, et bien sûr Naval Group et Dassault in the fields of transport, renewable energy and defense . The number of French tourists in Greece is exceptional this year”.

French culture also has an important place in Greece, added the head of French diplomacy in Greece, noting that “more than 50% of young Greeks choose French as a second language”, while “every day he finds the interest of the Greek public in French literature, philosophy and cinema”

In the context of the French presidency in the EU that has just ended, he made reference to the return of the “tragic war on the European continent” while at the same time welcoming the presence at the reception of the Ukrainian ambassador to Greece Serhiy Sutenko, to emphasize that “the Europeans were neither divided nor avoided their responsibilities”. What he assured will remain after the end of the French Presidency is that “building Europe is and will remain at the center of the priorities of the President of the Republic and the French government”

Turning to France’s domestic political scene, he said the French had renewed their confidence in Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected with 58% of the vote, but did not give him an absolute majority in the National Assembly. So we have a minority government and a new situation for the regime created by Charles de Gaulle in 1958. “So we must learn the culture of compromise. We must all rise to the great challenges that climate deregulation poses for all of us, the deepening of international relations and the rise of economic and social inequalities”.

At the end of the short speech, he emphasized the “universal and unifying” message that encompasses the triptych “liberty, equality, fraternity” which “inspired the Greek people 200 years ago” to add that “this message of 1789 appeals to the deepest its roots from ancient Greece and offered to the whole world the search for the common good, the general interest, truth and justice”.

Among the politicians present at the reception, apart from Mr. Dendias, were the Minister of Immigration N. Mitarakis, the Deputy Minister for Economic Diplomacy K. Fragogiannis, on behalf of SYRIZA the former Minister of Foreign Affairs G. Katrougalos and the head of the Finance Department G. Tsipras, diplomats and service factors.

It was the first time that the French ambassador received the official guests since 2019 and it was a separate reception from the one given the previous day for the French community in Greece and the Greek friends of France.

SOURCE: APE-ME