Shortly before the sun set on Friday afternoon, the archaeological site of the Roman Agora in Athens was filled with 300 guests, who were patiently awaiting the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The two leaders discussed in the shadow of the Acropolis Hill the present and the future of the European Union, in an event moderated by Kathimerini Executive Editor Alexis Papachelas.
From this platform, Macron sent an unequivocal message of support to Greece. “We will be here,” he immediately replied to Papachelas’ question about what France would do if “the revisionist neighbor” in the Aegean threatened Greece’s sovereignty.
“Look at what we did in 2021 during the summertime, and what we did together with Cyprus a few weeks ago and for me, this is a definition of friendship, the famous France-Greece Alliance. If your sovereignty is at risk, we will do what you have to do for you. We will be here,” he said to applause from the audience.
‘A moment’ for the EU
Despite doubts about Europe’s place in a time of seismic geopolitical change, Macron has repeatedly stressed his belief in the power and role of the Union. “The moment where we are is a moment for the European Union, for the Europeans, because we are seen as respecting international law, being reliable, being predictable, and people are looking at the real weight we have. That has great value,” he said.
“When we have partners, we are with them. Greece and France, in recent months, acted from day one when Iran attacked the Gulf countries.” Europe, he added, accounts for around 16% of world trade – “the same as China. The US is 15%.” The point, is “for us is to become an actual power, meaning to use our weight in the global order, to be respected much more than we are today, and to contribute to actual solutions and to be a trade power, not just to negotiate trade agreements, but clearly, to impose reciprocity to the others, to impose European preference, to protect our industry and to be seen as, on the long run, a credible partner.”
On his side, Mitsotakis said the EU must focus on its competitiveness, but also on strategic autonomy. “France and Greece have been at the forefront of this discussion,” he said, referring to the defense agreement that the two countries signed in 2021, and renewed on Saturday. “That means spending more, but also being smarter in terms of how we spend, achieving scale, while at the same time also encouraging our defense startup ecosystem to really flourish at a time when the theater of war is completely changing. At the same time, the bloc must become more competitive in energy, turn words into actions when it comes to savings, investments, and activate private capital.
‘Right moment to wake up’
Talking about the EU’s relations with the world, he said the bloc must realize the seismic changes that have taken place. “We should not underestimate that this is a unique moment where a US president, a Russian president, a Chinese president, are dead against the Europeans. So this is the right moment for us to wake up,” he said. “We have to be a little bit self-confident and deliver an agenda.”Referring to Ukraine, he said that Europe responded from day one. “Ukraine is holding up very well, much better than many thought. In the same way, we doubt the ability of the Europeans.” He also reminded the audience that the so-called Coalition of the Willing that Europe launched last year as a reaction to the famous moment between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office “was a clear signal we are ready to take our fair part of this burden, and we want to decide for ourselves.”
In addition to the European allies, the coalition includes the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway. “The United States is welcome,” he noted, “but what I decided for France is not contingent on American involvement.”
Overregulation
The French president acknowledged that Europe, due to regulations that often do not favor national players in the way it happens in the US and China, has lagged behind and more needs to be done to defend its industry, agriculture, and finance, and limit dependence on China and the US for rare earths and technology.
Macron argued that Europe must “produce European and buy European,” calling for fewer regulations, a stronger internal market and completion of the banking union to finance innovation and jobs.
The two leaders also referred to the simplification of legislation, investments in nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, partnerships with countries such as India and Canada, and European defense production.
“I’m a strong believer in the European pillar of NATO. My view is that we have to strengthen this European pillar. We will not weaken NATO, we have to preserve NATO on its interoperability, but the Europeans have to be much stronger and work together,” Macron said.
Mitsotakis noted that the current US administration is not a continuation of the previous ones, they prioritize their national interests. “Nevertheless, transatlantic relations survive, remain strong … There are possibilities for mutual, beneficial cooperation with the US.”
According to Macron, about 15 years ago, the US decided to put America’s interests first, and this will not change even when the current administration leaves office. However, he agreed with the Greek prime minister that Europe can still talk to the US on various issues, such as critical minerals.
And after discussing the numerous challenges facing the European Union, the talk ended on a note of optimism. The French president said that Europe, a continent with a long history of civil wars, has achieved peace among its 27 member-states. “Look at us!” he said. “After peace, we moved forward with the single market, we achieved prosperity, now we must give flesh and blood to our geopolitical vision,” he said.
The sentiment was echoed by the Greek premier: “When the time comes and when the crisis hits, and when we understand that we don’t have time we make the right decisions.”