File photo. [InTime News]
The upcoming visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Athens on April 24 and 25, during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with Europe seeking a new direction to boost competitiveness and shape a more cohesive defense policy complementary to NATO, carries particular significance, according to government sources.
Maritime security and the safeguarding of critical sea lanes are expected to feature prominently on the agenda, with particular focus on the Strait of Hormuz.
The visit is expected to mark a major step in deepening an already close bilateral relationship, incorporating new areas of cooperation that reflect current challenges, while placing Greek-French ties at the center of discussions on the future of Europe and its defense and security architecture.
During the visit, the French president is set to seal the renewal of the Greek-French strategic cooperation agreement in security and defense, while also paving the way for further collaboration in sectors such as the economy, civil protection, and innovation.
The renewed strategic partnership agreement, set for a five-year term with a provision for automatic indefinite extension, further strengthens the existing framework of cooperation.
The two countries are also expected to reaffirm their shared commitment to international law, multilateralism, and the role of the United Nations.
Particular emphasis is also being placed on the protection of minors online, with Greece and France among the first European Union countries to promote initiatives aimed at regulating social media use by underage users.