Live: on the frigate “Kimon” Mitsotakis and Macron – Focus on agreements and talks
A visit to the frigate “Kimon” will mark the beginning of the programme of Emmanuel Macron and Kyriakos Mitsotakis today (25/4), in a move with a clear …
News Room
25 April 2026
A visit to the frigate “Kimon” kicks off today’s (25/4) programme of Emmanuel Macron and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in a move clearly symbolic of the close defence cooperation between the two countries.
The presence of the two leaders on the French-built ship reflects the dynamics of the Greek-French engagement at a time of heightened geopolitical pressures.
The visit comes in a broader context of contacts in Athens, with the French side sending clear messages of support to Greece. The French president has already stressed that his country will stand by Greece if its sovereignty is threatened, placing particular emphasis on the strategic relationship between the two sides.
Then the two leaders will go to the Maximos Mansion, where they will discuss all the critical issues. The focus will be on safety of navigation, developments in the Sea of Hormuz, as well as the wider geopolitical environment. Of particular interest are the messages being sent to Turkey at a time of intense diplomatic mobility.
The two leaders will tour the frigate’s premises, where they will have the opportunity to talk to members of the crew. They will be welcomed by the Chief of Navy and the Chief of Navy, and will be given an inspection of the ship. They will then board the frigate “Kimon”, arriving at the Operations Center, the core of the modern weapons system, before heading to the ship’s bridge as well.
This visit has a strong symbolic character and serves as an introduction to the main part of the day, which is the transition of Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Emmanuel Macron to the Maximou Mansion, where the renewal of the Strategic Partnership between Greece and France will be signed.
At approximately 12:00 at noon, the two sides will sit at the same table in Maximos Mansion,opening the discussion on all the critical issues. The talks will be followed by the signing of agreements and joint statements to the media.
In the afternoon, around 16:00, the two leaders will go to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, where they will address the Greek-French Business Forum to be held at the “Dome”where they will address the Greek-French Business Forum, reinforcing the economic cooperation dimension.
Today’s meeting is expected to give new impetus to the strategic relationship between Greece and France. The two countries are proceeding with the renewal of the agreement on defence and security, signed in 2021, with a five-year duration and the possibility of automatic extension.
In parallel, the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is signed, which expands the framework for cooperation beyond defence, covering areas such as economics, innovation, civil protection, immigration, environment, education and culture, as well as cooperation within the European Union.
It is recalled that on the first day of his visit to Athens, Emmanuel Macron met with President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas and participated in a discussion with Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Roman Agora, where common positions on the future of Europe were highlighted.
In the same context, the French president reiterated that France will be present in case Greece is threatened, emphasising the concept of alliance and practical support. For his part, the Greek prime minister stressed that the current challenges can serve as an opportunity to strengthen European strategic autonomy, with Greece and France playing a leading role.
