The state-of-the-art frigate HS Kimon, the new flagship of the Hellenic Navy, docked today (24/4/2026) at the port of Piraeus for the first time, attracting the attention of those in the area due to its size and presence.

The arrival of the first Greek Belharra in Piraeus is linked to a specific development, as tomorrow morning Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of France Emmanuel Macron are expected to visit it.

During the visit, the renewal of the Greek–French defense agreement, which was signed in 2021, is expected to be confirmed, in a move of particular significance for cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense.

Dinner for Macron at the Presidential Mansion with business leaders and cultural figures
Emmanuel Macron’s arrival in Athens for the signing of the five-year renewal of the Greek–French defense cooperation agreement will also include an official dinner at the Presidential Mansion. The invitation from the Presidency concerns about 110 people—politicians, business leaders, and well-known public figures symbolizing Greek–French cooperation.

Invitations have already been sent, and leaders have been invited together with their spouses. Brigitte Macron will arrive in Athens this afternoon, will meet Mr. Macron, who is arriving from Cyprus at the airport, and together they will go to the Hotel Grande Bretagne.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis will attend alone, as Mareva Mitsotaki is still at Evangelismos Hospital, although she is expected to be discharged soon. The President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas will be accompanied by his wife Fani Stathopoulou, who makes rare public appearances and always in a discreet manner.

Who else will attend the Presidential Mansion
In addition to the leaders, invitations have also been extended to the Speaker of Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, Archbishop Ieronymos, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis. Among ministers, invitations have been sent to Nikos Dendias, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Takis Theodorikakos, Lina Mendoni, and Alexandra Papadopoulou.

Also present will be central banker Yannis Stournaras, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Dimitrios Houpis, president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yiannis Bratakos, and president of SEV Spyros Theodoropoulos. Present as well will be Dora Bakoyannis, chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and Spyros Koulkoudinas, chair of the Greece–France Friendship Committee.

Mr. Macron is also bringing several ministers with him, including French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin, Economy and Industry Minister Roland Lescure, Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, and Culture Minister Catherine Pégard. He is also accompanied by a large number of advisors and associates from the French Presidency.

The invitation list also includes figures symbolizing cooperation between the two countries. Among them are presenter Nikos Aliagas and film director Costa-Gavras, while singer Nana Mouskouri and actress Ariane Labed have not yet confirmed their attendance. Also invited are former French deputy minister Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Evagoras Mavrommatis, and French MP Marietta Karamanli.

Prominent business figures from both countries are also expected at the Presidential Mansion. From Greece, invitees include METLEN Group chairman Evangelos Mytilineos, Salamis Shipyards chairman Giorgos Koros, shipowners Thanasis and Panos Laskaridis, Union of Greek Shipowners president Melina Travlou, Panagiotis Theocharakis, L’Oréal Hellas general manager Alessandra Delfini, Zolotas Group CEO Giorgos Papalexis, and Tasos Rozolis, president of the Association of Greek Defence Material Manufacturers (SEKPY).

Mr. Macron is also accompanied by major French business leaders, including Pierre-Eric Pomeyie of Naval Group, Éric Béranger of the weapons systems company MBDA, Stéphane Boujnah of Euronext (which acquired the Athens Stock Exchange), Meridiam chairman Thierry Deau, Nexans CEO Julien Huebert, and Dassault chairman Éric Trappier.

Finally, cultural and educational figures will also be present, including Acropolis Museum director general Nikos Stampolidis, Louvre Museum president Christophe Leribault, SNF Foundation managing director Vassilis Kaskarelis, Byzantine Museum director Kalliopi Kalafati, Cycladic Art Museum president Sandra Marinopoulos, National Archaeological Museum president Ioanna Drettas, INEDIVIM president Anna Rokofyllou, among others.

The dinner menu is curated by the Presidential chef Vasilis Bekas and, according to reports, will include soup, salad, and fish.