Athens: On the occasion of the international defence and security exhibition DEFEA- Defence Exhibition Athens that took place on 13th-15th July 2021, a group of French MPs and senators visited Greece. The Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Armed Forces also visited the defence exhibition.

Apart from their visit to the exhibition, the French parliament members met with Minister of Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos as well as with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of European Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis. The French parliamentarians also had the opportunity to exchange views with their Greek counterparts, in particular with the members of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs, chaired by Mr. Gioulekas. In addition, the senators met with the Prime Minister’s diplomatic advisor, Ambassador Eleni Sourani.

The defence exhibition also saw the presence of Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Armed Forces. He also visited the Hellenic Air Force Academy and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square. The Chiefs of the Armed Forces of Greece and Rwanda discussed issues of mutual interest, focusing on the current regional and international developments as also their impact on security and stability of the wide Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa region. Both agreed that the maintenance of security and stability is the highest priority for both countries.

In all, 35 official delegations honoured with their presence the prestigious event. The next edition of the international exhibition DEFEA – Defence Exhibition Athens will take place on 9th-11th of May, 2023, at Metropolitan Expo, in Athens.