ATHENS — French Minister of Internal Affairs Gerald Darmanin was briefed on Monday on the actions of the Greek Coast Guard in the Aegean at a meeting with Shipping Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis in the presence of the chief of the Coast Guard Vice Admiral Theodoros Kliaris.

After the meeting, Plakiotakis stated that they welcomed the French Minister with special pleasure, a few days after the historic agreement between France and Greece that expands the long-established cooperation between the two countries.

"Our discussion was very constructive and meaningful and covered many and highly important issues of common interest. The strengthening of the operational capability of the Coast Guard and the efforts it is making – with efficiency, with full respect for international law and in collaboration with Frontex – for the protection of the sea borders of Greece, which are also the borders of Europe, [to manage] migration flows and for security in the Mediterranean. Greece and France share the same democratic values," he said.

On his part, the French Minister thanked Plakiotakis for a warm welcome and said that his visit to Greece was taking place in the context of the long Greek-French friendship, while they had had "a very interesting presentation and discussion."

"We also believe that the Greek borders are also European borders. We discussed, as well, the means we offer via Frontex, which will be increased in the context of France's EU presidency beginning in January 2002 and once again we examined the deepening of the two countries' friendship as expressed by the recent partnership agreement between Greece and France," he added.