Meeting between Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Giorgos Gerapetritis, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs (28 June 2025)

Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting in Paris with the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, on Friday 27 June.

The Ministers highlighted our excellent bilateral relations, as well as the very high level of trust and the close economic cooperation between our two countries. Among other things, they discussed the implementation of the strategic partnership and cooperation on civil protection, at a time when Greece is once again facing large forest fires.

The Ministers reviewed the importance of working towards enhanced cooperation in the European arena, particularly with regard to migration and defence. They emphasized the need to make a European preference a priority. They repeated that the EU’s trade policy must allow mutually beneficial partnerships to be developed while guaranteeing the defence of European interests. Regarding the EU-Mercosur agreement, the Ministers stressed the need to improve the agreement’s agricultural dimension, particularly given the importance of guaranteeing our food security.

The Ministers discussed current issues of international concern. They reiterated the importance of support for Ukraine and the fight against the circumvention of sanctions. The Ministers welcomed the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and asked all the parties to observe the terms of the agreement. They also talked about the political transition process in Syria, and the need to protect all segments of the Syrian population and fight actively against terrorism. They discussed recent developments in Gaza and Libya.