The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended today, Monday 7 November 2022, the launching ceremony of the first Defence and Intervention frigate (FDI) of the French Navy, which took place at the installations of Naval Group in Lorient-France.

The Minister referred to the strong, historical ties between Greece and France, which are based on common values, freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and he underlined the strategic character of the two countries’ defence cooperation, for the protection of their sovereignty and sovereign rights, on the basis of the rules of International Law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos noted the contribution of bilateral cooperation to the stability and prosperity in the broader region of the East Mediterranean, in the course of implementing the strategic vision towards European strategic autonomy and the strengthening of the transatlantic alliance.

The Minister welcomed the cooperation between Naval Group and Greek defence industries, in the framework of the Strategic Partnership between Greece and France, and he was briefed on the progress of the first Greek frigate building.

On the margins of the launching ceremony, the Minister of National Defence had a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart Mr. Sebastien Lécornu, where maters of mutual interest were discussed, mainly focusing on the security situation in the East Mediterranean, the developments in Ukraine, and the further enhancement of the bilateral defence cooperation. In addition, he met with personnel of the French Navy, and he was briefed on their task.

At his statement to the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Panagiotopoulos underlined the following:

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: I had the pleasure and honour of accepting the invitation extended by my French counterpart Sebastien Lécornu, to –somewhat- attend the launching ceremony of the first type-FDI frigate, i.e. the first Belh@rra, which is launched for the French Navy.

As you know, the second frigate of this type will be Greek. After the beautiful event and our addresses, I also had the opportunity to get a tour on the frigate, with my French counterpart and personnel from the “Naval Group”, who provided us with many interesting technical data on this vessel’s incredible capabilities. I boarded the frigate, naturally a lot of work still needs to be done, yet it is getting close to being completed and only by getting a chance to see it inside can someone realise its size and capabilities.

The prototype, the type-FDI frigate, is being constructed for the French Navy, and the first Greek one will closely follow. It was a strong experience as, inter alia, this relationship emphatically indicates that the bilateral strategic relation, stressing the Defence sector, between Greece and France gets larger and stronger. It truly is a very important day for the Greek Armed Forces, as the final phase for the construction of the Belh@rra frigates begins.

JOURNALIST: Mister Minister, we heard you in your address referring to challenges in the Mediterranean Sea, saying that Greece and France go hand in hand, against such challenges, and that they oppose any form of revisionism…

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: That is true! It is not only Greece and France; the entire EU and NATO, with their stance in the case, for example, of the Russian invasion to Ukraine, only condemn and oppose any form of revisionism. Absolutely everyone! This is the message that should be omitted towards all directions.

In any case, Greece and France have their own special allied relations. As you know, in the Defence Agreement we signed last summer, among other stipulations, there is also a mutual defence assistance clause; recently, by way of your Foreign Minister, the French underlined that, no matter what, this mutual defence assistance clause will apply, if necessary; therefore, on this strong foundation, we can build and even go further. I would like to highlight – since many may not know it – that in the context of defence cooperation between Greece and France, by 2025, 203 different activities, co-training, exercises etc., will take place. I believe that this number itself is enough to undoubtedly prove the extend and depth of this defence relation.

JOURNALIST: At defence diplomatic level, we see that Greece and France move forward, as they do in the field of defence. How possible is it that an option for a fourth Belh@rra, or even the corvette programme, will be activated?

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: For now, we are getting ready to receive two more Rafale, which will arrive within the next days and settle in their base, the 114 Battle Wing in Tanagra.

However, at the same time, I would say that we are waiting for, and shall receive pretty soon, the final proposals from industries that are interested for the corvette programme, or for the respective activation of this option, i.e. the alternative one, for getting a fourth Belh@rra, according to our initial agreement. However, in order for us to decide, we need to have the final proposals.

I believe that we should have the answers to some vital questions, especially to those relating to financing and the participation of Greek shipyards. We want the corvettes to be built in Greek shipyards and, as long as these questions are answered, we will be ready to make a final decision – as I see it, this will happen pretty soon.