March 27, 2025

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Missiles "Meteor" They quarreled Greece and France: Macron does not invite Mitsikitis to a conference on the Ukrainian issue


January 29 Minister of National Defense Nicos Dandias Called the French ambassador Lawrence Auer V The Ministry of National Defense of Greece (Υπεθα). The purpose of the meeting was the presentation of Greek fears and doubts about the possible sale of air-to-air missiles of high-range air-to-air to Turkey by the consortium MBDAwhich includes France.

Now it became known that Paris I did not perceive Dendias's “diplomatic protest” is positive. Moreover, the French side considered the “tone” and “style” of the speech of the Minister of National Defense in the form “Ultimatum” And “Inappropriate”, And also expressed dissatisfaction with the publication of photographs from this meeting. Perhaps Paris did not expect such a reaction from Greece, considering Athens a granted partner who has nowhere to go.

Paris demonstrated this discontent in a few days. According to foreign media, the car in which the Prime Minister was located Kiriakos Mitsotakisgoing to meet with the French president Emmanuel Macron February 10, arrived in The Champs Elysees At 16:14, that is, just one minute before the planned meeting time.

However The doors of the palace did not openreferring to the fact that the previous meeting of Macron dragged on, which forced Greek Prime Minister wait in the car until 16:46!

Swanchous French, who are very sensitive to the issues of the protocol, could meet Mitsikitis in the palace and well accept it instead of forceing to wait in the car, But they prefer thisb, expressing his discontent about N. Dandiasa.

Now Macron holds a conference of “high” European leaders (such as representatives Denmark And Netherlands) on questions Ukraineto which, however, the Greek Prime Minister is not invited, since the country is considered superfluous for discussion.

France, which has received at least 10 billion euros in recent years from Greece for the purchase of weapons (for example, Rafale, FDI) And Mirage 2000-5 Earlier, is also in negotiations on the implementation of the option on the 4th FDI. Nevertheless, Macron does not show respect, which, at least, is supposed to be a “good client”, and with arrogance ignores Greece while another major contract is being prepared.

Wouldn't it be a good opportunity for Greece not to order the 4th FDI instead, send these funds (which approach 1 billion euros and exceed this amount) for other programs for Navy (Πν), such as American Constellationin which Greece is already involved, but to take larger and decisive steps?

It is worth recalling why a claim to France was made from Nicos Dandias. The fact is that when Greece and France entered into an agreement on defense cooperation in 2020, the parties agreed that France will not supply missiles Μeteor Turkey. However, already in December 2024 it became known that Türkiye will receive these missilesBy acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon fighters from Britain. At first, France rejected this agreement, and then simply “sent” Greece, pretending that “every trifle” could not arrange claims of “Great France”.

The step is quite ordinary for French politicians. They had previously betrayed Greece and will no doubt do this in the future. Another question is, did the mitsikitis and dendias really know this?



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