The visit of Emmanuel Macron to Athens is at the center of French media attention. Specifically, ahead of the French president’s meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, French media are focusing on strengthening the strategic partnership between Greece and France in defense and security sectors, as well as the overall bilateral relations between the two countries.
French media: Macron travels to Athens to strengthen defense cooperation
According to a report by Europe1, the central focus of the meeting between the French president and the Greek prime minister will be defense programs, particularly the prospect of submarine agreements, with Naval Group appearing as the main contender for selling four Barracuda submarines to Greece.
“After Cyprus, Macron travels to Athens to strengthen defense cooperation,” the report characteristically notes, emphasizing that Paris and Athens seek “to speak with one voice in a Mediterranean under tension”. In the same context, “stabilizing the region and ensuring freedom of navigation” emerges as a central objective. Other French media outlets follow the same line, focusing on renewing the Greece-France strategic partnership, particularly in defense and security.
The visit will highlight historical ties
Meanwhile, the TF1 television station website, in a report titled “What will Macron do in Greece on Friday and Saturday?”, notes that the visit gains special significance “in an environment of increasing geopolitical uncertainty” and is expected to provide an opportunity to confirm the renewal of the 2021 strategic cooperation agreement.
According to the Élysée Palace, as reported by TF1, the visit “will highlight the historical ties” between the two countries, as well as “their shared commitment to European values and close cooperation in all sectors, particularly in defense, economy and culture”. It is also emphasized that the agreement is expected to be renewed “tacitly” from now on, confirming the stability of the bilateral relationship.
Special reference is made to Greek priorities, with diplomatic sources noting that Athens seeks further deepening of cooperation in areas such as economy, civil protection and innovation. However, “absolute priority” is given to maritime security, with emphasis on the Strait of Hormuz, during a period of heightened tensions.
Additionally, French media highlight the convergence between Athens and Paris on regulating social media use by minors. As noted, Greece and France are among the first European Union countries promoting related initiatives and are at the forefront of developing a common European framework.
In the same context, reports by CNEWS and Le Télégramme emphasize that the French president’s visit to Athens has “special significance” for strengthening defense cooperation, while capturing the broader goal of deepening bilateral relations on multiple levels.
