Israeli diplomats see little prospect of a near-term thaw with Emmanuel Macron’s government after France moved to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The immediate economic impact may be limited, but the geopolitical signal is far larger: Paris is shifting from diplomatic criticism to economic pressure, raising the question of whether other European governments will follow.
Greece is trying to keep three strategic axes open at once — Israel, Egypt and France — but the Mitsotakis–Macron meeting in Paris highlights the bigger challenge: creating coherence between defence procurement, Eastern Mediterranean diplomacy and Europe’s push for strategic autonomy.
Meridiam, Nexans, the Greece-Cyprus cable and new spatial-planning rules put energy and sovereignty back at the center of Greek-Turkish tensions
A radical shift in French foreign and defence policy is no longer an unthinkable scenario. The National Rally dominates early polling, while France’s unique military and nuclear power means the battle for the Élysée could reshape Europe’s entire security architecture.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joins President Emmanuel Macron's summit on Ukraine as Greek Rafale fighter jets take part in France's Bastille Day celebrations, highlighting the deepening strategic partnership between Athens and Paris and Greece's expanding role in Europe's evolving defence architecture.
President Nikos Christodoulides' participation in France's Bastille Day celebrations underscores the growing strategic partnership between Nicosia and Paris, as Cyprus launches its largest defence modernisation programme with €177 million in initial SAFE funding already released.
Ankara Raises the Stakes in the Eastern Mediterranean
Macron: “We will stand by your side” – Mitsotakis: “Article 42.7 is the crown jewel” – Push for joint EU debt
Dendias–Votrine talks signal an upgraded bilateral defense partnership tied to energy security, naval cooperation, and European autonomy
In its report, Handelsblatt focuses on Greece’s ambitious €25 billion armament program for the next decade, noting that while Athens is preparing for a massive military modernization, the German defense industry appears to be missing out — while France is emerging as the big winner.
With the French economy and 2026 budget at stake, President Emmanuel Macron seeks consensus among party leaders, while far-right and far-left factions refuse compromise, leaving the country in mounting political uncertainty.
Dendias called the meeting "fruitful and candid, in the framework of our long-standing, traditional bonds, common values, shared trust and mutual respect," saying it had reaffirmed "that Greece and France are close allies and friends and share the same perception regarding the developments in Europe and the wider region".
"France is one of Greece's closest partners. In the sectors of defence and security we have established a very important strategic partnership, which is constantly deepening," Mitsotakis said, praising the levels of cooperation between the two countries.
Notably, Dendias told reporters he will propose the acquisition of a fourth Belharra frigate to the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), with Lecornu expressing a “shared desire to move forward” with the proposal.
PM has no information about French plan to sell arms to Turkey, Dendias raises issue with French envoy
Responding to media comments by prime-minister-elect Hristijan Mickoski that he would respect the Prespa Agreement but call his country "Macedonia" instead, Mitsotakis said, "I consider it unacceptable that North Macedonia will be able to attend its first (NATO Summit) with its new leadership and cast the Prespa Agreement into doubt over the name."
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is going on Thursday to Lorient, France
The geostrategic importance of the port of Alexandroupolis was underlined by the French ambassador to Greece, Patrick Maisonnave, in an interview with AMNA released on Tuesday.
Turkish media have taken aim at Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the head of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) Konstantinos Floros, accusing Greece of arming itself because it is preparing for war.
According to its findings, Spain is the clear winner, with 3.55 million passengers flying to and from UK airports, with Greece in second place, with 1.33 million arrivals and departures.
Colonna, appointed after the recent national elections, said France would follow developments closely and assured Greece of its commitment.
