Europeans must stop being naive, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Europe needs to stop being naive when it comes to defending its interests and build its own military capacity.  Macron said on Tuesday after Greece sealed a deal for French frigates worth about 3 billion euros ($3.51 billion).Macron seized the opportunity to urge for more European autonomy as Washington increasingly reorientates its interests towards China and the Indo-Pacific.

 When we are under pressure from powers, which at times harden (their stance) , we need to react and show that we have the power and capacity to defend ourselves. Not escalating things, but protecting ourselves, Macron told a news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. "This isn't an alternative to the United States alliance. It's not a substitution, but to take responsibility of the European pillar within NATO and draw the conclusions that we are asked to take care of our own protection."

When asked whether this deal risked raising tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, Macron said the accord did not target a country specifically, but Greece, as the outer border of the European Union needed to be protected. As Europeans it is our duty to show solidarity with members states. It is legitimate that we commit to equipping it so it can ensure its territorial integrity is respected and that we commit to cooperating to protect it in case of intrusions, attacks or aggressions, he said.