Greece and France have recently signed a defence agreement, a crucial move as tensions continue to rise in the Eastern Mediterranean. The agreement, signed on August 27, 2020, highlights the importance of the two countries’ strategic partnership in defending their shared interests in the region.
The agreement includes several key elements, such as joint military exercises, information sharing, and cooperation in defence procurement. Greece and France will also work together to monitor and respond to any destabilizing activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly from Turkey.
The agreement comes as tensions between Greece and Turkey have escalated over maritime borders and drilling rights. Turkey has sent a research vessel, the Oruc Reis, into Greek-claimed waters to conduct seismic surveys for oil and gas. Greece has responded by sending warships, and the situation has sparked concerns of a military conflict.
France has been a vocal supporter of Greece in this dispute, sending its own naval vessels to the region in early August. The defence agreement solidifies this partnership and shows France’s commitment to defending its NATO ally.
The agreement also highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in the modern world. As countries face increasingly complex threats, such as terrorism, cyber attacks, and hybrid warfare, cooperation and information sharing become crucial in defending against them.
Furthermore, the agreement shows the importance of a strong and unified European Union. While the EU has struggled with internal divisions and disagreements in the past, this defence agreement shows that its member states can come together to defend shared interests and values.
Overall, the Greece-France defence agreement is a significant development in the ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. It shows the importance of strategic partnerships in modern defence and the continued need for a strong and unified European Union.