Greek premier also discusses with French president latest developments in Eastern Mediterranean, with special focus on Syria
Greece on Monday again questioned the possible sale of Meteor air-to-air missiles to Türkiye by a European consortium including France, according to Greek media.
Speaking on the sidelines of an AI summit in Paris, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed their convergence on issues of the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as their common approach regarding the latest developments in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, public broadcaster ERT said.
During the meeting, which lasted around an hour, the leaders also discussed strengthening strategic cooperation, with Mitsotakis raising with the French president for the second time in a few days the issue of a possible sale of Meteor missiles to Türkiye, it added.
In a statement on the meeting between Macron and Mitsotakis, the French President's Office said the EU strategy on AI was the first topic they discussed.
The leaders also discussed accelerating implementation of the European competitiveness agenda following the Mario Draghi report and the EU Competitiveness Compass, according to the statement.
Making no mention of the missile issue, the statement said Macron affirmed to Mitsotakis "France's commitment to the Franco-Hellenic strategic partnership as well as to the security of Greece."
Support for embattled Ukraine as the war approaches its third anniversary and the latest developments in the Middle East were also addressed in the meeting, it added.
In its efforts to bolster its air defense, Türkiye is already engaged with negotiations to buy up to 40 EF-2000 Eurofighter jets to keep its air force updated in the face of growing regional threats.
Air-to-air Meteor missiles are reportedly included in the package linked with Eurofighter jets Türkiye is negotiating for.
Greece, which stepped up its arms purchase in recent years, including modernization of its F-16 fleet and the purchase of French-made Rafale jets, with Meteor missiles, opposes any sale of the missiles of Türkiye.
On Jan. 29, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced that he had summoned French ambassador and military attache in Athens to underline the country's strong opposition to sale.
On Feb. 4, according to the Greek media, Mitsotakis requested details from Macron on the negotiations for the sale of missiles to Türkiye when they met on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.
On Friday, Turkish sources said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone call with Macron and discussed improving bilateral relations and cooperation, among other topics.
