President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that he is in contact with French President Emmanuel Macron to work on upgrading the Cyprus-France strategic agreement, which has been in effect since 2016.
According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou, who spoke to CNA after the President’s meeting with a delegation from the French Senate’s European Affairs Committee visiting Cyprus, President Christodoulides informed the French senators about ongoing discussions with Mr Macron. The aim, he said, is to sign a new agreement at the level of the two Presidents.
The 2016 agreement, signed at the Foreign Ministers’ level, established the Franco-Cypriot Strategic Agenda to strengthen dialogue between the two countries on security, defence, the economy, education, and culture.
Mr Antoniou noted that President Christodoulides briefed the senators on the Cyprus issue, EU matters, regional developments, migration issues, climate change, and Europe’s future following Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States.
The President also thanked France for its consistent efforts and assistance on the Cyprus issue, emphasising that it is the only EU state that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. He also highlighted the historical ties between the two nations and Cyprus’s procurement of defence equipment from France, Mr Antoniou added.
Additionally, the President informed the senators about the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus and the 20th anniversary of Cyprus’s accession to the EU.
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Source: CNA
