France's new ambassador to Greece assumes office and calls for deeper defense ties

Welcome reception at the French residence

The newly appointed Ambassador of France to Greece, Nicolas Kassianides, formally marked the assumption of his diplomatic duties on 30 September 2026 during an introductory reception held at the French ambassadorial residence in Athens. The diplomatic event brought together Greek political leaders, diplomatic personnel, military representatives, and journalists. High-ranking Greek cabinet members attended the gathering, including Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni and Minister of Rural Development Margaritis Schinas. The president of the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Aria Agatsa, was also among the guests. Diplomatic delegations from foreign partner nations were represented at the residence, with the ambassadors of Germany, the United Kingdom, and South Korea attending alongside Greek and international military officials.

Deepening defense and strategic cooperation

In a formal address delivered during the evening, Kassianides, who is of Greek-Cypriot descent, spoke about the unique relationship that has developed between Greece and France over recent years. He stated that while cultural ties between the two countries have traditionally been strong, the bilateral relationship has evolved into a substantive strategic partnership encompassing defense, economic ties, and cultural exchange. Kassianides focused particularly on the defense sector, describing bilateral security relations as already exceptionally strong. He stated that Franco-Greek defense collaboration will continue to move forward under his ambassadorship, expressing the hope that cooperation between the two armed forces and defense ministries will expand even further.

Presidential guidance from Emmanuel Macron

Kassianides shared details of a direct conversation he held with French President Emmanuel Macron before traveling to take up his diplomatic post in Athens. According to the ambassador, President Macron personally emphasized how important Greece is to him individually as well as to France. Kassianides stated that his primary mission in Athens is to further deepen Franco-Greek relations across all sectors. In his speech, he called for continued progress based on the bilateral dialogue established earlier in the year between the French president and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

We must now walk the path opened by Macron and Mitsotakis in April.

Return to Athens after 23 years

The diplomatic posting holds specific personal significance for Kassianides, who began his career in foreign affairs in Athens 23 years ago. At that time, he completed his diplomatic internship at the French embassy in the Greek capital before advancing through France's diplomatic service. Kassianides concluded his remarks by defining his organizational vision for his tenure, stating that his goal is to maintain close contact with the host country. He expressed his desire for both the French embassy building and the ambassadorial residence to remain accessible and open to the Greek public and to Greece as a whole.