Christodoulides: Defence Agreement With France To Be Signed In June

Greek Cypriot media outlets Politis and others reported on Christodoulides’ statements regarding the planned agreement with France.

According to the reports, Christodoulides said the agreement will cover the presence of French forces on the territory of Southern Cyprus for humanitarian purposes.

He described France as a European Union member state with which Southern Cyprus cooperates at all levels, adding that the ministerial-level agreement between the two sides is expected to be signed in June.

Christodoulides recalled that another agreement with France was signed last December, stressing that the two sides maintain strong cooperation particularly in defence and security.

He also noted ongoing efforts to create synergies between French companies and the defence industry of Southern Cyprus in order to utilise the €1.2 billion allocated to the country under the EU SAFE programme, adding that the signed documents are not merely “symbolic”.

Christodoulides said these texts contain concrete substance.

Responding to a question regarding claims that Turkey was “disturbed” by the informal EU Council meeting held in Southern Cyprus, Christodoulides said he had seen comments in international media about the second part of the summit involving leaders from neighbouring countries.

He said the Republic of Cyprus had long expressed readiness, within the framework of the EU Council presidency, to invite Turkey, but claimed that the Turkish side had shown a negative stance.

He also alleged that, based on current reactions, Turkey may not have expected all countries in the region to respond positively to the invitation extended by the Greek Cypriot administration.