The submarine ‘Le Temeraire’ (The Bold) at the naval nuclear submarine base at Ile Longue in Crozon, France, March 2, 2026. Yoan Valat \/Pool via REUTERS<\/p>\n
France And Greece To Renew Defense Pact For Another Five Years<\/p>\n
ATHENS, April 19 (Reuters)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Greece next week to renew a security pact between the two countries against the backdrop of the<\/p>\n
, a Greek government official said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
long-standing NATO allies<\/p>\n
, signed a security and defense agreement in\u00a02021, which required them to come to each other\u2019s aid if attacked and included the purchase of three<\/p>\n
and around 24 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets by Athens.<\/p>\n
Macron\u2019s visit to Greece on April 24-25 will renew the agreement for a further five years, with an automatic renewal thereafter, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n
Macron and the Greek government will also discuss maritime security and the<\/p>\n
, the official added.<\/p>\n
was at a standstill on Sunday after Iran reasserted control over the strategic waterway, days before a fragile ceasefire with the United States was set to expire.<\/p>\n
Greece leads the European Union\u2019s naval mission charged with<\/p>\n
protecting ships in the Red Sea<\/p>\n
but has opposed engaging in any military operations in the Strait of ?Hormuz.<\/p>\n
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 202<\/p>\n