French press points to confusion between Athens and France over frigates

Reports in the French press suggested on Tuesday there is a "misunderstanding" between Greece and France over Athens' claims that Paris has agreed to lease two Fremm-type frigates to the country for a period of five years, amid growing tensions with Turkey.

Alternate Defense Minister, Fotis Kouvelis, confirmed last Friday on SKAI TV channel that France "has made two frigates available to us in a leasing agreement," following talks between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and French President Emmanuel Macron.

In an article published on Saturday, French weekly La Tribune quoted French Defence Minister Florence Parly, who said "it is not valid" that any deal has been reached, however "we are at the disposal of our Greek friends to continue working even more closely."

It said the French government had not committed to a leasing deal considering that the French...