Greece and UK Sign Deal for Collaboration on Defense, Trade

Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias co-signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with the UK’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in London on Monday. The new framework is meant to bolster many areas between the two nations, including security and trade.

Truss said that:

“The framework we’ve signed with Greece will open up new opportunities for trade and investment in both countries, enabling better cooperation between business, investors and industry, and builds on strong security and defence cooperation as we week to challenge malign actors that threaten to disrupt our freedoms and way of life.”

The agreement, known as the the UK-Greece Strategic Bilateral Framework, is the culmination of an already strong bond shared by the two countries.  Both the UK and Greece hope to combine their efforts as NATO allies to strengthen Europe’s security against foreign threats.

The framework also allows for deals to be made through out various sectors, including defence, foreign policy, health, trade and investment, education, tourism and maritime affairs.

Dendias remarked on the multifaceted nature of the agreement in a statement he posted to social media:

“Greece and the UK open a new chapter in their post-Brexit partnership, deepening their cooperation on a wide range of areas, including foreign policy and defense,” said Dendias, who also described his meeting with Truss as a “warm and productive discussion on taking forward Greek-British security and trade cooperation.”

Agreement marks the beginning of Greece and the UK’s post-Brexit chapter

A crucial aspect of Dendias’ remarks is the agreement’s position in establishing a “post-Brexit partnership” between Greece and the UK. Britain’s exit from the European Union, otherwise known as Brexit, became official on February 1, 2020, and European law stopped applying to the UK after December 31, 2020.

When Brexit first became official on February first of last year, Dendias remarked that their was a touch of sadness seeing the UK leave the Europe, but that Greece would support its ally:

”Brexit Day is a moment of sadness, but also the start of a new chapter in our relationship with the UK,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said, adding that the relationship is built on friendship and cooperation.

”Greece is prepared for Brexit & ready to contribute in forging an ambitious new partnership,” the statement noted.

 

”For a few hours now, the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union. But for us, it will always be a partner country and an ally, with whom we are bound by common struggles for global freedom,” Dendias said.

”It is a historic moment, which marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new one. Greece is prepared for it and ready to contribute to building a strong future relationship,” the Minister noted.

”I have to assure the Greeks living in the United Kingdom and the UK nationals residing in Greece that we will promote all those necessary arrangements that will ensure their day-to-day life and prospects.”