“Strategic cooperation is a key element of our relationship”

Laurence Auer. The new French Ambassador to Greece is excited about her new post. Speaking to “TO VIMA”, she underlines the strategic relationship between Athens and Paris. Underlining respect for Greek sovereignty, she reiterates France’s readiness to assist in the Greek-Turkish dialogue and to remain close to Greece, as it has from 2020. At the same time, she sees enormous potential in the ongoing bilateral cooperation between the two countries and opportunities in all areas.

You are the first woman French Ambassador in Athens. Is Greece a challenge for you, and what do you think of your new assignment?
I am very honoured as I stressed to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mrs Ekaterina Sakerallopoulou. In France, our Foreign Affairs minister, Catherine Colonna, strongly encourages “feminist diplomacy” and I see the same policy in Greece. I am honoured and also thrilled, because between France and Greece, the cooperation perspectives are endless, in economy, education, culture, heritage, local development, civil protection. Bilateral strategic partnership creates a unique frame and ties are very strong in all European discussions as well. During my mandate, I hope to put my energy in deepening our common links and creating new opportunities of cooperation for the benefit of both societies.
You were previously ambassador of France to Romania. How do you assess geopolitical changes in this region after the War in Ukraine and what is the role of Greece in this region?
I was posted in Bucharest in a very sensitive moment before and during the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It was also a moment of necessity for unity as we were in charge the French presidency of the EU. We needed at the same time to safeguard our principles, democracy, respect of international law, and to assess our capacity to defend Europe. We developed a link between NATO and the EU as France became the framework nation of the NATO multinational force, together with the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. We implemented on the ground the “solidarity corridors” on grain or energy. Along with all member States, and of course with Greece, we built the instruments of Europe’s security, to help Ukraine.
Greece constitutes a transportation and energy hub. Now that energy corridors are open from south to north, could France cooperate with Greece in this sector as well?
My first trip out of Athens was to Thessaloniki. The port authorities include a French company from Marseilles, CMA-CGM, and they have this perspective of being a hub in Greece for transportation through the Western Balkans. It highlights the geostrategic place of Greece, important for all Europe. What we can do together, through public and private partnerships, European funds, is related to transport networks, renewable energies. It can also include a cooperation on civil protection to prevent natural disasters.
Greece and France have very good relations with the Middle-East countries: could they play a role after the war in Ukraine for a different eastern Mediterranean and become bridges between the Arabs world, north Africa and Europe?
Energy networks, after the war in Ukraine, has to be reconsidered the routes because of the sanctions. It is also a huge opportunity: I am thinking of solar energy, hydrogen etc. There are possibilities to develop offshores solar or wind-powered capacities. It is a huge shift in our economic and energetic networks not only because of the war but also because we have to phase out fossil energies: in this regard, we will need to develop new relations with these countries.
 France has supported Greece in the difficult period of 2020, during the crisis with Turkey. Today, could France play a role in the Greek-Turkish relation and in the efforts to normalise this relation, and in which direction?
The strategic partnership signed in 2021 between France and Greece is the key element of our relationship. As both countries back the concept of European strategic autonomy, it is also aimed at developing common capacities. Today defence industry has never been more important. It is not only a question of contracts but of how we prepare together our defence in the new context of threats. Regarding the dialogue between the Greek and Turkish authorities, we are at the disposal of the Hellenic authorities for anything that could be of use. Since 2020 we have been alongside Greece to mark the respect of its sovereignty.
Greece and France have also a good cooperation in the field of defence. At which point do we stand in terms of decisions regarding the corvettes for the Navy and the fourth frigate Bell@ra?
The Hellenic Navy FDI Frigates programme is on track and running full speed. Concerning the Corvettes projects, the discussions are on-going. The level of commonality of equipment of the Frigates and the Corvette would be an important asset for their operational use, maintenance and the training of the Navy personnel. I also want to stress that France has adopted earlier this year a new military programming law and under this umbrella, our industrial programme includes this new equipment.
 Immigration is an important topic for Greece. Do you think that supplementary measures should be taken by the EU and in which direction?
The EU package on immigration and asylum has to be adopted, as a priority. With regards to the situation of illegal immigration, I want to stress that we enforce a strong bilateral cooperation on illegal immigration – especially on prevention and on forged ID documents.
France has sent assistance to Greece during the fires of the summer 2023. Climate change being “present”, how could the cooperation between Greece and France be strengthened in this area?
Indeed, France sent planes and firemen for one month and a half through European mechanisms as did Greece the way around when we were facing dramatic fires in France during the summer of 2022. This has showed our solidarity and the efficiency and reactivity of our systems but of course we want to do more, after the disaster in Evros, especially in the field of prevention and post-catastrophe measures.
 We are now 300 days ahead of the Olympic Games. How challenging is this for France?
France is preparing the Olympic and Paralympic games with the idea of making a popular event in the centre of Paris that will give the opportunity to the athletes and the visitors to enjoy it. Paris 2024 will be a Franco-Greek story, starting on the 16th of April, with the transfer of the Olympic flame. It will be an amazing bilateral moment and a moment for people to engage with Olympic values shared by our two countries. It will also be a time to promote Francophonie as, in October 2024, France will host the next Summit.
Are you preoccupied by the rise of extremist forces in France and Europe?
Populism is a very strong threat within Europe, nourished by false information, disinformation. Manipulation of facts or false information needs a strong common answer, an objective France and Greece share.