Nicosia: France is our most important partner in the European Union, President Nikos Christodoulides said during his meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-No«l Barrot at the Presidential Palace. The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, and the French Ambassador to Cyprus, Cl©lia Chevrier Kolacko.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides emphasized France’s pivotal role in the EU and lauded its active involvement in discussions concerning the Cyprus problem. He expressed his satisfaction with French President Emmanuel Macron’s intervention at the New York meeting on the Cyprus issue. The agenda of the meeting with the French Foreign Minister included discussions on the Cyprus issue and the upcoming Cyprus EU Council Presidency.
On a bilateral level, President Christodoulides anticipated welcoming his French counterpart to Cyprus to finalize the strategic partnership agreement. He mentioned that some minor technical issues would be addressed during their discussions.
French Foreign Minister Barrot expressed France’s solidarity with Cyprus in light of the recent wildfires in the Limassol district. He also expressed eagerness for the strategic partnership agreement, to be signed by the Presidents of Cyprus and France.
Barrot highlighted that Cyprus’s upcoming EU Presidency would be an opportunity to enhance their shared vision on EU matters, including security, prosperity, and democracy. He noted the significance of Cyprus serving as Europe’s gateway to the Middle East and Asia, emphasizing the importance of the Cyprus Presidency for the EU’s relationship with these regions.
He concluded by stressing the unity between France and Cyprus in addressing regional crises, underscoring the joint effort to seek solutions for peace and stability.