French President Emmanuel Macron visited Athens, Greece, on Friday after attending an informal European Union summit in Cyprus. Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis received him at the airport.
The centrepiece of the two-day trip is a five-year defense cooperation agreement, which Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis are expected to sign at Maximos Palace on Saturday.
Macron is also scheduled to tour the frigate Kimon, a naval vessel representing the growing military partnership between the two countries. The visit will wrap up with joint press statements and an official lunch hosted by Mitsotakis.
On Friday evening, the two leaders took part in a public dialogue at the Roman Forum, moderated by Alexis Papahelas, a Greek investigative journalist. The discussion covered European security, economic competitiveness, and the EU’s response to shifting global dynamics.
French President Macron visits Greece as major powers push against Europe
Macron told the Athens audience that Europe is at a defining moment. He noted that the leaders of the United States, Russia, and China are all working against European interests, and said the continent must treat this as a reason to act rather than a reason to worry.
He added that Europe must build its independence with greater speed and scale, and that waiting for conditions to improve is not a realistic strategy.
Mitsotakis said the EU must sharpen its strategic focus across defense, energy, and economic policy. Both leaders agreed that European nations need to spend more on defense and invest on a larger scale.
Mitsotakis cited the bilateral defense agreement as evidence that EU countries can take concrete steps toward greater self-reliance.
Draghi Report, energy market and EU overregulation in focus
On economic competitiveness, Mitsotakis pointed to the Draghi report as a clear picture of Europe’s structural problems and called on leaders to move from analysis to action. He said his top priority over the next five years is establishing a fully integrated European energy market, with nuclear power as part of that framework.
Both leaders said overregulation at national and EU levels is hurting European businesses and called for policies that give European companies a stronger footing against American and Chinese rivals.
On the question of US President Donald Trump, Macron said leaders must work with whoever holds power and focus on their own decisions. He said the America-first outlook has roots that go deeper than the current administration and is unlikely to disappear when it ends.
Macron also gave a firm public commitment to Greece, saying France would stand with Athens if the country ever came under threat from an expansionist neighbor.
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