Greece, France set to extend defense pact

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, speaks with France's President Emmanuel Macron during their gathering astatine Maximos Mansion successful Athens, Saturday. [AP]

French President Emmanuel Macron was received Saturday by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis astatine the Maximos Mansion arsenic the two countries hole to motion the renewal of a bilateral information pact.

The statement updates a pact reached successful 2021 betwixt Macron and Mitsotakis that included a communal defence clause and commitments from Greece to acquisition astatine slightest €3 cardinal worth of French warships.

The renewal extends the pact for 5 years, with automatic renewals thereafter. It is besides expected to see caller areas of cooperation, such arsenic overseas policy, civilian extortion and the economy.

The statement will beryllium signed by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Defense Minister Nikos Dendias for Greece, and by Benjamin Haddad, curate of state for European affairs, and Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin for France.

Earlier Saturday, the two leaders visited the French-built Greek naval frigate Kimon successful the larboard of Piraeus.

In the afternoon, Mitsotakis and Macron will visit the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, where they are scheduled to speak astatine the Greece-France Economic Forum organized by the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises successful practice with the French-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, welcomes France’s President Emmanuel Macron earlier their gathering astatine Maximos Mansion successful Athens, Saturday. [AP]