French President Emmanuel Macron made his first official visit to Cyprus on Thursday, meeting President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia for talks that both governments described as a historic milestone in bilateral relations.
The trip, the first by a French head of state since the country became an independent republic in 1960, came days before an informal European Union summit in Ayia Napa. It followed a Strategic Partnership and Action Plan that the two countries signed in Paris last December.
At a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace, Macron said that France holds deep affection for Cyprus and that its role is to stand firmly beside the island during difficult periods. He said that bilateral ties have reached a historic high and that both nations plan to strengthen them further through energy and infrastructure projects.
Macron’s Cyprus visit ends 65-year French presidential absence
Christodoulides called Macron’s visit to Cyprus historic and noted that the French president had traveled to the island twice in 45 days. He said that this reflected the growing depth and momentum of the relationship.
He also described France as one of his country’s steadiest and most trusted allies and credited Macron as an early advocate of European strategic autonomy, a vision he said has since gained broad acceptance across the continent.
Macron recalled a joint trip to Cyprus with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shortly after the conflict erupted in the Middle East. He said that the purpose was to send a clear signal of solidarity.
Macron also noted that after an Iranian-made drone struck the island, European military assets were deployed in the area, including the French carrier strike group attached to the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. He said that the attack on Cyprus was effectively an attack on Europe.
Cyprus problem, Schengen bid, and energy deals on the table
Talks covered defence cooperation, energy, regional security, and Cyprus’s upcoming presidency of the EU Council. Christodoulides updated Macron on efforts by the UN Secretary-General to resolve the Cyprus problem. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said that France has consistently backed a settlement based on UN Security Council resolutions.
Macron highlighted two major energy initiatives. One is an undersea cable project designed to connect the electricity networks of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, with French firm Nexans producing the cables.
The other involves natural gas reserves in Cypriot waters, where French company TotalEnergies and Italian firm Eni jointly hold extraction rights in a designated offshore block.
Christodoulides also thanked France for backing Cyprus’s bid to join the Schengen Area. He told Macron that true friends appear in hard times and that the French president holds a uniquely valued place in Cyprus.
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