Mitsotakis – Substantive deepening of cooperation with France

The interview itself, in fact, was laden with symbolism, as Mitsotakis sat for questions inside the Louvre and near the iconic Winged Victory (Nike) of Samothrace.

Asked directly about a pending Greek-French defense agreement that includes the warship acquisitions, he merely said announcements will come on Tuesday, following his official meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Asked about the primary reason for his government’s decision to boost defense spending and upgrade weapon systems, namely, Turkish aggressiveness and provocations, and whether he foresees any “incident”, Mitsotakis said he had forecast a quiet summer in 2020, “and I don’t see any reason for us not to have a quiet autumn and winter”.

Queried further on the issue, the center-right Greek premier said there are issues where Athens can cooperate with Ankara, such as climate change, the migration problem and expanded economic ties, “but the condition is respect for your neighbor and international law on major issues… the only tool for resolution is international law… in the face of Turkish threats we’ll react as we’ve reacted always, something that we’ve done effectively and confidently”.