In Athens, April 14th is expected on Monday, April 14th – except for the unexpected – the French Minister of National Defense, Sebasteenfollowing the systematic contacts he has with his counterpart, Nikos Dendia, who thickened on the occasion of meteor rockets and Eurofighter.
With Paris to take on a significant role in European defense after the summit, the French visit Minister of National Defense comes following the mail he had lately had with the Nikos Dendiaas the French press revealed, along with the intervention of Paris and in Great Britainby conveying Athens’ objections to the sale meteor rocket and aircraft Eurofighter in Ankara.
The backdrop of the meeting
Sources from the Ministry of National Defense commented days ago on a report by the French newspaper La Tribune, according to which National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias had not allegedly responded to requests from his French counterpart Sebasteenca meeting in Athens in order to discuss the Developments on the issue that has arisen with the sale of Meteor rockets to Turkeyhow the Minister of Defense of France initially a letter to his Greek counterpart (dated 6 February 2025, which was sent by email on Friday, February 7, 2025), with which, among other things, a meeting in Athens, so that the two ministers would not discuss it.
The Greek Minister of National Defense in the US responded by letter on Monday, February 10, stating that he was looking forward to welcoming his counterpart to Athens at a mutual time.
However, on the eve of the NATO Council and while Mr Dendias traveled from Washington to Brussels came to the Greek permanent delegation of NATO Through the corresponding French request for a meeting of the two Ministers of National Defense, on the sidelines of the meeting. Due to the short time of time the two ministers would have to discuss such an important issue, it was proposed by the Greek side to take place in Athens, as initially requested by a French side, a proposal which was accepted.
Subsequently, on Friday, February 28th, the French Minister of National Defense, in his new letter, forwarded to a Greek counterpart to a letter sent to his British counterpart, with whom Mr.Lecorn He asked from the United Kingdom to take into account Athens’ concerns about the sale of Eurofighter.
At the same time, the French Minister of National Defense expressed regret that the meeting had not been held at the Brussels And he reiterated his proposal to meet in Athens. On the following day, Saturday, March 1, 2025, Mr. Dendias, in a letter, thanked his counterpart for informing him, explained the reasons that the meeting of February 13 was not possible and repeated his open invitation to a French Minister for a meeting in Athens who will be appointed to a meeting in Athens. diplomatic route, ended up with sources of Pentagon.