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Greece-Cyprus-France and in the background India

• Konstantinos Holevas

France, through President Macron, signed nine agreements with Greece, while it is expected to sign the SOFA agreement with Cyprus in June for the stationing of French troops on the island. The nine agreements with our country begin with the renewal of the strategic partnership and include, among other things, collaborations in the defense industry.

Undoubtedly, the statement of the French President that his country will stand by us if Greece's sovereignty is threatened is significant and has disturbed the media and politicians in Turkey. Some wonder whether this statement will be valid after the Presidential elections and the possible change of policy in France. It is a serious question, but let us not downplay the value of the presidential statement. When we did not have it, we expected it. Now let us appreciate it properly and make use of it. There is no need for either cries of enthusiasm or excessive complaining.

The recent crisis in the Middle East has made evident the need to strengthen defense cooperation between Greece and Cyprus. The strategic relationship with Israel is already working positively, as it has supplied an anti-missile dome to Cyprus and is expected to deliver similar equipment to Greece.

The French President placed particular emphasis on the field of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation. This element favors Greece, because we have wonderful minds and many young scientists with master's and doctorates. They can and want to be utilized in research and program development positions.

The discussion about the role of the US in the defense of Europe and the future of NATO make the presence of France even more timely and useful. It is, after all, the only nuclear power within the European Union after the withdrawal of Britain. It has a particular interest in the Middle East (Lebanon, Syria, etc.) and the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece and France can cooperate in many defense and diplomatic areas. Obviously, there is no identification, but a significant convergence of interests. In Lebanon, France protects the Maronite Christians and the Roman Catholics. Greece is interested in peace in the region, but does not hide its particular interest in the Greek Orthodox flock of the Patriarchate of Antioch. Both countries consider the use of violence by any military or religious group in Lebanon unacceptable, especially by the Shiite Muslim organization Hezbollah, which refuses to lay down its arms.

In the statements of Macron and Mitsotakis in Athens, reference was made to cooperation with India. This is the most populous country in the world with high technology and an advanced defense industry. India is bothered by Turkey's very close cooperation with Pakistan. At the same time, India is interested in the IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) trade and energy corridor, which is planned to pass through Greece and Cyprus.

Ankara is irritated and I predict that it will show even greater irritation about these collaborations. We neither underestimate nor overestimate Turkey. We are organizing our diplomatic and defense preparations for every eventuality. However, the recent crisis has highlighted significant Turkish weaknesses, e.g. in anti-ballistic defense.

We maintain stable partnerships and develop new ones.

Article in PARAPOLITIKA, 2.5.2026