N. Dendias: France expresses the epitome of European solidarity – We discussed the escalation of Turkish rhetoric

“France expresses the epitome of European solidarity, as enshrined in Article 42 (7) of the Lisbon Treaty,” Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said in a statement after a working breakfast hosted by the French Embassy in Athens.

The working breakfast took place on the occasion of the opening of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the participation of the ambassadors of the EU Member States.

“The cooperation with the ally France is strengthened daily and in all areas”, Mr. Dendias emphasized characteristically.

“In our discussion with the EU ambassadors, I referred to the challenges that our country is facing in the problems of the Balkans, but especially to the escalation of Turkish rhetoric, which has now passed to another level, to a level of direct questioning of Greek sovereignty over the of the Eastern Aegean islands “, the Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out.

“I also emphasized the openings that Greece makes in foreign policy, which it follows at the behest of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with my travels to Africa and various other countries, but also the great interest that Greece has “Now for sub-Saharan Africa, in which France, while protecting European interests, is extremely active,” he added.

He also mentioned that the priorities of the French presidency in the first half of 2022 were discussed at the working breakfast, while he thanked the Ambassador of France to Greece, Patrick Mezonav, who organized the meeting.

He reminded that today’s meeting is a continuation of the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Greece and the meeting they had together in the framework of the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers Gymnich, last Thursday and Friday.

SOURCE: AMPE