Macron to Mitsotakis: “We will stand by you if your sovereignty is threatened”

Diplomatic ties between Greece and France were highlighted in the conversation between Emmanuel Macron and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focusing on the challenges Europe faces today and the road ahead.

A defining moment came when the French president was asked about Paris’ alliance with Athens.

“We will be here. Look at what we did in 2021 and in Cyprus. For us, this is the definition of friendship and alliance. ‘Greece-France Alliance’. This is it. If your sovereignty is threatened, do whatever is necessary. We will be here for you,” the French president emphasized.

This event is part of the French president’s visit to Greece, which will conclude tomorrow after the visit to the frigate “Kimon” and the Prime Minister’s speech at the Helleno-French Economic Forum at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

Macron added, “The issue is to become a real global power, to contribute to finding real solutions. This moment is for Europe, for Europeans.”

He further stated, “Now, we must use our weight on the international stage to be respected more than today and to impose reciprocity in global trade.” He also mentioned the need to “spend more, but also more wisely on defense.”

The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, then took the floor, thanking Macron for his presence and agreeing with his comments. He also highlighted the importance of smarter defense investments.

“I agree with President Macron that this challenge is a great opportunity for Europe, which has been shaped by crises. I believe there is a great opportunity to speed up on two fronts,” the Prime Minister underlined. “We need to add substance to the strategic autonomy bet, Greece and France are at the forefront of this discussion. We did this in 2021 with the defense cooperation agreement we signed. Now we need to spend more, but also more wisely on defense,” he noted.

Macron again took the floor and addressed China and the impact of its actions on the European industry.

“We need to simplify things and achieve greater scale. We were slow there. We can do more. We have set up too many rules in some sectors. There we can improve. We need smarter legislation. Both the US and China have regulations to protect their own businesses. We must maintain a fair competition environment, but we need to protect our interests. China has many capabilities and is ‘killing’ European industry. But we are slow to see it. Last year, China destroyed 250,000 jobs in Germany. We need to respond, and we will respond with regulations in some sectors. We need to respond in the digital environment as well, with regulations for teens,” Macron stated.

He also referred to the war in Ukraine and the “Alliance of the Willing” in support of Kyiv.

“We formed the Alliance of the Willing. This was our reaction in the moment with President Zelensky in the Oval Office (when he was attacked by Donald Trump). All Europeans are involved, and we have Canada, Australia, Japan with us. It’s a very strong creation.

The US is welcome, we appreciate them a lot, but we decided to act. And what France will do does not depend on what the US does,” Macron said, leaving a remark.

He also added: “The Russian economy is suffering from sanctions for Ukraine. We don’t want to be part of the war, we have expressed clear support for Ukraine. But we will support Ukrainians in their war for independence. Ukraine is resisting very well, better than some expected.”

Macron on NATO: Strengthening the European Pillar

Emmanuel Macron also commented on the turmoil caused in NATO by Trump’s threats, the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East, in response to the characterization that the Alliance “is in Intensive Care.”

“The bell rang with President Putin in 2022, but it is clear that NATO is under pressure, as Europeans have borne the weight that corresponds to them. But at the same time, there is pressure with Article 5 from the Americans, which weakens the Alliance.

NATO is useful for the interoperability of armed forces. But I am a strong supporter of NATO’s European pillar. We need to strengthen the European pillar, not to weaken NATO. Europeans need to work together on joint operations. What we are discussing to do in the Baltic, in the Eastern Mediterranean, in Hormuz. It’s not NATO, it’s Europeans working together,” commented the French president.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis also addressed the issue, appreciating further “win-win” cooperation with the US.

“Transatlantic relations are important and resilient. I see a perspective for further win-win cooperation with the US, even if it seems difficult with the current administration. We need to mobilize further capital for European strategic autonomy,” said the Greek Prime Minister.

Macron: “America First” Has Been Decided for 15 Years

“I know President Trump well, I think, as Kyriakos said, we need clarity about American strategy. It’s not just Trump’s character. For the last 15 years, the US has decided that America must come first. I respect that. And second priority is China,” Emmanuel Macron said.

He added: “Their strategy doesn’t place Europe at the center. Leaders aren’t here to make comments on behavior. We need to act. And what makes sense is for us to act to accelerate, to have size and speed, to strengthen our autonomy.”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis supported this view: “Today, the White House does not represent a continuation of previous administrations in the US. They are now putting much more emphasis on their national interests. Nevertheless, transatlantic relations survive, remain strong.

Europe also benefited from the global order, but the threat from China lies in the fact that it can suddenly strengthen one sector or another. There are opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with the US.”