"We discussed... the purchase of two frigates by the Greek Navy. We signed a letter of intent between the two countries to move the procedure forward," Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said after the visit on Thursday.

"There is still a long way to go before the two sides work out the specific technical characteristics that meet our navy's requirements," the minister added.

Panagiotopoulos did not give further details, but reports on Friday said the frigates will be the new Belharra model.

The minister said he had also raised the issue of technical support for its French-made Mirage fighter jets in talks with his counterpart Florence Parly.