French President Francois Hollande landed at the Athens International Airport on Thursday afternoon for a two-day state visit in the Greek capital.
Hollande was greeted by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras upon his arrival and the two men embraced as the French President descended from his aircraft.
The leader of the European Union’s third biggest economy had a large entourage accompanying him, including French Finance Minister Michel Sapin, French Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, French Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin, and French Secretary of State for European Affairs Harlem Desir among other current and former French politicians. Several French business leaders have also joined Holllande on this visit to Athens.
Tsipras and the French President headed to Syntagma Square at the centre of Athens where Hollande offered a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Greek National Defence Minister Panos Kammenos greeted the two leaders at the scene.
Following the ceremony at Syntagma Square, the two European heads of state made their way toward the Presidential Palace where the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos officially welcomed his French counterpart and thanked him for his help to Greece during the past few months.
Pavlopoulos will host a dinner, which will be attended by Hollande and his entourage, Tsipras and other members of the Greek government, as well as officials from other Greek political parties, later in the evening.
The French President will address the Greek Parliament on Friday.
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