Tassoulas to Macron: Your visit marks the renewal of our strong alliance

“We welcome you to Greece with great pleasure… Your visit reflects the close bonds of friendship between our two countries and marks the renewal of our strong alliance, as well as the expansion of bilateral cooperation across many sectors,” said Konstantinos Tasoulas.

“The Greek and French civilizations have engaged in a fruitful dialogue for centuries, contributing significantly to the shaping of modern European identity. From antiquity and the founding of Greek cities on the French Mediterranean coast—such as Marseille, Nice, and Antipolis (Antibes)—to the Renaissance, when France welcomed refugees, scholars, artists, and merchants who fled Ottoman rule after the fall of Constantinople, Greeks transmitted to France the Greek spirit, arts, and letters in their many historical forms.

This creative coexistence influenced the great French thinkers of the Enlightenment, whose humanist ideas in turn inspired not only the French revolutionaries of 1789, but also the Greeks who rose up in 1821 to win their freedom.

Moreover, France made a decisive contribution—morally, materially, militarily, and diplomatically—to the successful outcome of the Greek War of Independence and the founding of the modern Greek state. Later, in the 20th century, Greece and France once again stood side by side in all the major events that shaped the course of Europe and the world, fighting together for freedom and peace.”

Tassoulas’ address to Macron

In his address, Tassoulas also referred to the 1821 Revolution and the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The President of the Republic further mentioned the four years of war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, calling for restraint.

Preparations are in full swing at the Presidential Mansion ahead of the official dinner to be held on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Athens.

Immediately after the meeting between the President of the Republic, Kostas Tasoulas, and his French counterpart, the dinner will follow, attended by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and numerous guests.

According to reports, 112 guests have been invited by the Presidency of the Republic, including political figures, business leaders, and widely respected personalities connected to Greek-French cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries.

The dinner menu has been curated by the Presidency’s chef, Vasilis Bekas, and includes options with a strong Greek character and modern gastronomic touches. Among the dishes are pumpkin velouté soup, grilled red porgy, and traditional galatopita (milk pie) for dessert.

Special attention has also been given to the table setting, with a floral arrangement in the colors of the French flag, symbolically reflecting the context of the official meeting and the diplomatic occasion.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis will not be accompanied by Mareva Mitsotaki, who remains at Evangelismos Hospital, although she is expected to be discharged soon. President Kostas Tasoulas will be accompanied by his wife, Fani Stathopoulou, who makes rare public appearances and always maintains a discreet profile.

Who else will attend the Presidential dinner

In addition to the leaders, those invited include the Speaker of Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis (who will be represented by Dora Bakoyannis due to travel to the U.S.), Archbishop Ieronymos, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis. Among ministers invited are Nikos Dendias, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Takis Theodorikakos, Lina Mendoni, and Alexandra Papadopoulou.

Also present will be Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Dimitris Houpis, Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Yannis Bratakos, and SEV President Spyros Theodoropoulos. Dora Bakoyannis will also attend as Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, along with Spyros Koulkoudinas, Chair of the France-Greece Friendship Committee.

President Macron is also accompanied by several ministers, including French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Economy and Industry Roland Lescure, Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, and Culture Minister Catherine Pégard, as well as a number of aides and advisors from the French Presidency.

Invitations have also been extended to figures symbolizing cooperation between the two countries, such as presenter Nikos Aliagas and director Costa-Gavras. Nana Mouskouri and actress Ariane Labed have not yet confirmed their attendance. Also invited are former French deputy minister Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Evangelos Mavrommatis, and French MP Marietta Karamanli.

Prominent business figures from both countries are also expected. From Greece, invitees include Metlen Group Chairman Evangelos Mytilineos, Salamis Shipyards President 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 SEKY President Tasos Rozolis.

Macron is also accompanied by major French business leaders such as Pierre-Éric Pommellet of Naval Group, Éric Béranger of MBDA, Stéphane Boujnah of Euronext, Thierry Déau of Meridiam, Julien Huber of Nexans, and Dassault Chairman Éric Trappier.

Finally, figures from culture and education will also be seated at the table, including Acropolis Museum General Director Nikos Stampolidis, Louvre President Christophe Leribault, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Board Advisor Vasilis Kaskarelis, Director of the Byzantine Museum Kalliopi Kalafati, President of the Museum of Cycladic Art Sandra Marinopoulou, President of the National Archaeological Museum Ioanna Drettas, and INEDIVIM President Anna Rokofyllou, among others.