Macron in Athens: EU Article 42.7 is 'Stronger than NATO's Article 5'; France-Greece €3B Defense Pact

French President Macron visited Athens and declared EU Article 42.7 is 'in substance, stronger than Article 5' of NATO's Washington Treaty, arguing it 'leaves no option' for member states when an ally is attacked — unlike Article 5's more discretionary language that Trump has made conditional on spending compliance. The statement came as Macron and Greek PM Mitsotakis signed a renewed €3 billion bilateral defense partnership: 24 Rafale jets, four frigates, MICA missiles. Macron cited both countries' joint dispatch of warships to Cyprus in March 2026 as Article 42.7 in practice: 'This mutual assurance and assistance clause is inviolable.' He stressed complementarity with NATO: 'not against anyone, not as an alternative to anything.' The Athens visit built on Kallas' blueprint (April 25) — demonstrating Article 42.7 advancing from institutional document to active bilateral treaty practice within 24 hours.