French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Athens begins with strong symbolism during a period of intense geopolitical challenges, making the strengthening of European defense even more imperative. The visit comes to confirm the strategic nature of Greek-French relations, with the positive climate of bilateral ties expected to be highlighted through guarantees for expanding defense cooperation. Greece and France are expected to renew their strategic cooperation agreement on security and defense for another five years. The decision to include a joint appearance by Emmanuel Macron and Kyriakos Mitsotakis aboard the frigate “Kimon” in the visit program holds special symbolism, as it directly references the deepening of defense cooperation between the two countries and the success of the FDI frigates.
The signing of new agreements is expected to expand the bilateral agenda. From defense and foreign policy to economy, innovation, civil protection, as well as shared values, the protection of International Law and the principles of multilateralism in international relations and the role of the United Nations, the Greek-French relationship enters a phase of further institutionalization and deepening, acquiring characteristics of coherent and multi-level cooperation with duration and depth. Particular emphasis is also placed on the issue of protecting minors on the Internet, with Greece and France ranking among the first EU countries promoting initiatives to regulate social media use by minors. Greece and France are at the forefront of shaping a European regulatory framework.
Today’s and tomorrow’s program of Emmanuel Macron’s visit combines intense symbolism with substantial content. At the Roman Agora, he will participate in a public discussion with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, moderated by Alexis Papachelas, as part of an event organized by the newspaper “Kathimerini” on the challenges facing Europe and its future, highlighting the common European agenda and the role of both countries in shaping it. Meanwhile, the joint visit of the two leaders to the frigate “Kimon” in Piraeus underscores in the most tangible and categorical way the military dimension of Greek-French cooperation. The “Kimon,” the first Greek Belharra-type frigate that has already been operationally tested in the Eastern Mediterranean, represents a characteristic example of the deepening strategic relationship between Athens and Paris in the defense sector.
The French president’s presence at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, where the Greek-French Economic Forum will take place, also gains special importance. There, the two leaders are expected to deliver greetings, highlighting the significance of economic and investment cooperation, while the participation of business figures from France indicates the expansion of the bilateral relationship beyond the defense sector, toward economy, innovation, and infrastructure.
The dinner that the President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, will host for Emmanuel Macron kicks off the French president’s official program in Athens.
Macron’s visit to Athens: Who will attend at the Presidential Palace
Those invited to the Presidential Palace also include Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, Archbishop Ieronymos, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, and PASOK president Nikos Androulakis. Among the ministers, invitations have been extended to Nikos Dendias, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Takis Theodorikakos, Lina Mendoni, and Alexandra Papadopoulou.
Also present will be central banker Yannis Stournaras, Chief of General Staff Dimitris Houpis, Athens Chamber of Commerce president Yannis Bratakos, and Hellenic Federation of Enterprises president Spyros Theodoropoulos. The chairwoman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Dora Bakoyannis and the president of the France-Greece Friendship Committee Spyros Koulkoudinas will also be present.
Macron will also be accompanied by members of his cabinet, including French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin, Economy and Industry Minister Roland Lescure, State Secretary for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, and Culture Minister Catherine Pegard. He is also accompanied by a host of collaborators and advisors from the French Presidency.
Invitations to the Presidential Palace have been extended to figures who signify cooperation and alignment between the two countries. Among them are presenter Nikos Aliagas and director Costa-Gavras, while Nana Mouskouri and actress Ariane Labed have not yet confirmed their attendance. Also invited are former French State Secretary Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Evagoras Mavrommatis, and French National Assembly member Marietta Karamanli.
Important business figures from both countries are also expected to attend at the Presidential Palace. From Greece, invitations have been extended to METLEN Group president Evangelos Mytilineos, Salamis Shipyards president Giorgos Koros, shipowners Thanasis and Panos Laskaridis, Union of Greek Shipowners president Melina Travlou, Panagiotis Theocharakis, L’Oreal general manager Apostolos Maros, and Zolotas Group CEO Giorgos Papalexis.
Macron is also accompanied by prominent French business figures, including Naval Group’s Pierre-Eric Pommellet, MBDA’s Eric Beranger, Euronext’s Stéphane Boujnah who acquired the Athens Stock Exchange, Meridiam president Thierry Deau, Nexans general manager Julien Huber, and Dassault president Eric Trappier.
Finally, figures from culture and education will also have seats at the table, including Acropolis Museum general director Nikos Stampolidis, Louvre Museum president Christophe Leribault, Niarchos Foundation administrative director Vasilis Kaskarélis, Byzantine Museum director Kalliopi Kalafati, Museum of Cycladic Art president Sandra Marinopoulou, National Archaeological Museum president Ioanna Dretta, and INEDIVIM president Anna Rokofyllou, among others.
Minute by minute of Macron’s visit – Watch Live
