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".
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.
He revealed that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will present this cutting-edge armament programme to Parliament next week, spotlighting Crete’s pivotal role in modern geopolitics and energy dynamics.
While the plan signals Greece’s commitment to military modernization, critics might question whether such heavy spending prioritizes defense over social needs, especially post-austerity, and how it might escalate tensions with Turkey rather than foster dialogue.
The issue has drawn attention in Greece, given its deepening defense ties with France. Since 2021, Athens has procured 24 Rafale fighter jets, each equipped with Meteor missiles.
Ankara’s move to dispatch a warship to monitor new surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, despite these surveys being conducted in the northern Cretan Sea, confirms the high-stakes nature of this project for Greek-Turkish relations.
