Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Corsica on September 10, government spokesman Stelios Petsas announced on Monday morning. The meeting will take place before the Summit of the countries of European South, MED 7, where leaders from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal will discuss regional issues.. According to Greek media, the talks between Mitsotakis and Macron are expected to include a defense procurement deal being discussed between the two countries.
Mitsotakis and Macron will be reportedly ironing out the details of an agreement for the acquisition of 18 Dassault-built Rafale jets by Greece that is also looking at procuring new frigates and other material.
The signing of the relative agreement while in Corsica is not excluded.
Speaking to Open TV, Petsas said that “we are talking to several countries, not only to France. The truth is that we have a more advanced discussion with France. The Euro-Mediterranean Conference Forum may or may not be used for closer cooperation. It is a matter of finalization in the next 24 hours.”
Last week, Mitsotakis said that this was the right time to strengthen the Greek Armed Forces.
On Friday, the Prime Minister met with Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos, along with the chief of General Staff Konstantinos Floros and the head of the navy, Stylianos Petrakis, to discuss the planned upgrade of Greece’s defense capabilities.
Mitsotakis is reportedly expected to announce details of the government’s procurement program on the upcoming weekend from Thessaloniki.
Meanwhile, the President of the European Council Charles Michel will visit Athens on September 15.
