Mariem Njeh
25th April 2026
Last Updated: 25th April 2026
AA / Istanbul / Mariem Njeh
During a state visit to Greece, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday the signing of a “strengthened global strategic partnership” with Greece, expanding bilateral cooperation initiated in 2021 to new areas ranging from defense to civilian nuclear energy, as well as environment, economy, and culture.
– A “concrete” mutual assistance clause
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Greek Prime Minister, Macron emphasized the binding nature of the mutual aid clause included in the partnership, calling it “untouchable.”
Macron also made an explicit connection to Article 42, paragraph 7, of the Treaty on the European Union, stating that the bilateral partnership made this European solidarity clause “even stronger” by specifically linking it between Paris and Athens.
– Defense contracts and industrial cooperation
The French president announced the signing of a contract for the renovation of MICA missiles for the Hellenic Army by MBDA during this visit. He recalled that Greece had acquired 24 Rafale fighter jets and four frigates for defense and intervention (FDI) by Naval Group.
– Civil nuclear, wind, and environment
The strengthened partnership includes an agreement on cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy. In addition, the company ACLU signed a joint development contract for seven wind projects in central Greece. Macron also hailed Greece’s decision to join the international organization Mercator, dedicated to digital systems and services for the oceans.
– Economy: Increased trade, Euronext in Athens
Macron noted that French-Greek trade has doubled in ten years. Over 200 French companies employing around 17,000 workers are based in Greece in sectors such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and financial services. He cited the acquisition of the Athens Stock Exchange by Euronext in November 2025 as an example of this growing economic integration.
– Middle East, Ukraine
Internationally, Macron called for the continuation of the ceasefire involving Lebanon, diplomatic negotiations on nuclear and ballistic issues, and regional destabilization in Iran, as well as the peaceful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He specified that France and Greece, along with 47 other countries, participated in the first meeting of an ad hoc mission for this purpose last week.
Regarding Ukraine, Macron announced the final confirmation of a €90 billion loan from the European Union, the decision for which was made last December.
Fuel: Macron dismisses risk of shortage in response to TotalEnergies CEO
From Athens, Macron also addressed the issue of energy supplies, in response to statements by TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné, who suggested on Friday that France could face an “era of energy shortage” if the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz continued “for two or three more months.”
“At this stage, I believe I can tell you that the situation is under control. Today, the situation does not lead us to anticipate any shortage,” stated the French president, urging against fueling “panic behaviors” that could worsen the situation.
Macron expressed his desire to focus efforts on “a full reopening, in accordance with international law, of the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, without tolls,” in “the coming days and weeks.”
Since the start of the war in the Middle East at the end of February, navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s consumed oil and gas usually passes, has been nearly paralyzed, compounded by the American blockade on Iranian ports.
