Tuesday, Greece will buy three frigates, which is a type of warship, from France as part of a deeper “strategic partnership” between the two countries to defend their shared interests in the Mediterranean, said French President, Emmanuel Macron.

The deal marks “an audacious first step towards European strategic autonomy,” Macron said at a signing ceremony with Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at the Elysee Palace.