France and Greece are poised to lead together in shaping Europe’s future, French Ambassador to Greece Laurence Auer said on Thursday, underlining the strategic role of the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki in bilateral and regional cooperation.
In an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), Auer described the evolving partnership between the two countries as dynamic and multidimensional, with Thessaloniki emerging as a key centre for defence, innovation, education and cultural diplomacy.
“France and Greece are ready to lead together. We’ve built trust. And Thessaloniki, as a city of culture, industry, education and strategic location, is right at the heart of this shared future,” she said.
Auer noted that Northern Greece’s largest city serves as a vital gateway for Europe and the Balkans. “Thessaloniki is a port of entry not only to Europe but also to the region itself,” she said. “We have a strong presence here – our General Consulate, the Institut Français de Thessalonique. It’s a big asset.”
The ambassador stressed that historical ties between France and Greece have deepened since the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021, which has led to expanding cooperation across sectors.
“We have celebrated three years of strategic partnership,” she said. “It’s a unique agreement. Since then, we have continuously developed various forms of cooperation.”
Auer highlighted Thessaloniki’s role as a linchpin in regional development, particularly in integrating the economies of the Western Balkans into the European framework.
“Thessaloniki is not only a tourist destination but a regional hub of activity,” she said, pointing to growing French investments in sectors ranging from defence and energy to infrastructure and education.
French defence company Naval Group has partnered with Greek firms to support production and research. “Naval Group is part of the supply chain,” she said. “Local companies like Kafkas in Thessaloniki are producing electric panels for the Belharra frigates. In Florina, BT Composite is working with Naval Group on R&D. Sunlight in Xanthi and Prisma in Alexandroupoli are also involved.”
“This is more than a bilateral success,” Auer added. “These partnerships will allow France and Greece to co-develop new products—not just for our two countries, but for all of Europe.”