Paris: Europe must avoid being naive in defending its interests and building up its military capability, French President Emmanuel capital sign on english vowel Greece said on Tuesday after sealing a deal for the French frigate worth nearly 3 billion euros ($3.51 billion).
France was embroiled in an unprecedented diplomatic crisis earlier this month over a tripartite nuclear security deal with the United States, Australia and Britain that thwarted a multi-billion-dollar French-designed submarine contract. canberra.
It has taken a lot of soul searching about its traditional alliances in Paris. Speaking for the first time on the issue, Macron on Tuesday took the opportunity to urge for more European autonomy as Washington increasingly re-orients its interests towards China and the Indo-Pacific.
“Europeans must stop being nave. When we are under pressure from powers, which sometimes (their stance) become harsh, we need to react and show that we have the power to defend ourselves. Has the power and ability. Not to escalate things, but to defend itself,” Macron said at a news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos mitsotakiso.
“It is not a substitute for the United States coalition. It is not a replacement, but to take responsibility for the European pillar. nato And conclude that we have been asked to take care of our own safety.”
A Greek government source told Reuters that as part of Tuesday’s deal, Athens agreed to buy a quarter for about 3 billion euros, with the option to buy three frigates.
The agreement, part of a broader strategic military and defense cooperation agreement, comes after Athens already ordered some 24 Dassault-built Rafale fighter jets this year, making it its first. The European Union fighter jet buying country
“It will keep us hooked for decades,” Mitsotakis said. “It opens the door to a Europe of tomorrow that is strong and autonomous, capable of defending its own interests.”
Asked whether the deal threatens to escalate tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, Macron said the deal does not specifically target any country, but Greece, because of the need to protect the EU’s external border. the wanted.
“I didn’t realize that in the summer of 2020 it was Greece that was bellicose in the eastern Mediterranean,” Macron said, pointing to Turkey’s actions in the region.
“It is our duty as Europeans to show solidarity with the member states. It is legitimate that we are committed to equipping it to ensure that its territorial integrity is respected and that we are protected against infiltration, attacks or Committed to cooperating to protect it in case of aggression,” she said.
France was embroiled in an unprecedented diplomatic crisis earlier this month over a tripartite nuclear security deal with the United States, Australia and Britain that thwarted a multi-billion-dollar French-designed submarine contract. canberra.
It has taken a lot of soul searching about its traditional alliances in Paris. Speaking for the first time on the issue, Macron on Tuesday took the opportunity to urge for more European autonomy as Washington increasingly re-orients its interests towards China and the Indo-Pacific.
“Europeans must stop being nave. When we are under pressure from powers, which sometimes (their stance) become harsh, we need to react and show that we have the power to defend ourselves. Has the power and ability. Not to escalate things, but to defend itself,” Macron said at a news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos mitsotakiso.
“It is not a substitute for the United States coalition. It is not a replacement, but to take responsibility for the European pillar. nato And conclude that we have been asked to take care of our own safety.”
A Greek government source told Reuters that as part of Tuesday’s deal, Athens agreed to buy a quarter for about 3 billion euros, with the option to buy three frigates.
The agreement, part of a broader strategic military and defense cooperation agreement, comes after Athens already ordered some 24 Dassault-built Rafale fighter jets this year, making it its first. The European Union fighter jet buying country
“It will keep us hooked for decades,” Mitsotakis said. “It opens the door to a Europe of tomorrow that is strong and autonomous, capable of defending its own interests.”
Asked whether the deal threatens to escalate tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, Macron said the deal does not specifically target any country, but Greece, because of the need to protect the EU’s external border. the wanted.
“I didn’t realize that in the summer of 2020 it was Greece that was bellicose in the eastern Mediterranean,” Macron said, pointing to Turkey’s actions in the region.
“It is our duty as Europeans to show solidarity with the member states. It is legitimate that we are committed to equipping it to ensure that its territorial integrity is respected and that we are protected against infiltration, attacks or Committed to cooperating to protect it in case of aggression,” she said.
.