A Cyprus-France agreement allowing the presence of French forces on Cypriot territory for humanitarian purposes is expected to be signed in June, President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed on Monday.
Speaking after the annual memorial service for EDEK founder Vassos Lyssarides, the President said the arrangement reflects the strong strategic partnership between Cyprus and France, particularly in the fields of defence and security.
Strong EU partnership highlighted
Christodoulides underlined that France is the European Union member state with which Cyprus maintains the most robust cooperation across all levels.
He recalled that a renewed strategic cooperation framework was signed last December, further deepening bilateral relations.
The Cyprus-France agreement forms part of broader efforts to strengthen defence collaboration, including joint initiatives within the EU SAFE framework and the utilisation of €1.2 billion allocated to Cyprus.
According to the President, these resources are being directed towards fostering cooperation between French companies and Cyprus’ emerging defence industry.
“Agreements of substance, not symbolism”
Christodoulides stressed that such agreements are not symbolic but deliver tangible results in practice. He cited France’s swift response when assistance was requested as an example of the partnership’s operational value, alongside ongoing cooperation in defence and security.
He added that the relationship continues to evolve “on substance and not communication,” reinforcing Cyprus’ strategic alignment with France within the EU framework.
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