I had the great pleasure today to attend the meeting of the Ambassadors of the EU Member States in order to discuss the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU for the first half of 2022.
And I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the Ambassador of France, Patrick Maisonnave, for hosting this very interesting meeting.
Besides, it takes place following the visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian to Greece and also the meeting we had in the framework of Gymmich last Thursday and Friday.
Cooperation with Ally France is getting strengthened, I have to say, each passing day and in all areas.
France constitutes the epitome of European solidarity as is stipulated in Article 42 (7) of the Lisbon Treaty.
During our discussion with the EU Ambassadors, I outlined the challenges our country faces and the problems of the Balkans, but I also made special reference to the escalation of Turkish rhetoric, which has now reached another level, namely the direct challenging of Greek sovereignty over the islands of the Eastern Aegean.
I also emphasized the openings that Greece is making in its foreign policy, under instructions by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, following my travels both to Africa and to various other countries.
But I also underlined the great interest that Greece now attaches to Sub-Saharan Africa, where France, protecting European interests, is extremely active.
I would like to thank again the Ambassador and the French Presidency for this opportunity.
January 17, 2022