Paris, France. President Nikos Christodoulides held a private meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, reaffirming close bilateral ties and alignment on regional cooperation and the Cyprus problem.
Meeting on the margins of Louvre event
The meeting took place on the margins of the inauguration of the Cyprus’ EU council presidency exhibition at the Louvre museum. Government sources described Macron’s presence as “tangible proof of the close and exceptional relations between Cyprus and France”.
Strategic cooperation agreement and action plan
The talks focused on the implementation of the strategic cooperation agreement and its accompanying action plan, signed in Paris on December 15 last year. The two presidents discussed progress across agreed areas and underlined the need for “productive implementation” to further deepen cooperation on matters of shared strategic interest.
Support for Schengen integration
Christodoulides and Macron reaffirmed France’s political support for Cyprus’ full integration into the Schengen area, following the signing of a declaration of intent last December. Paris has backed Nicosia’s efforts, viewing Schengen accession as a key step in Cyprus’ European integration.
EU competitiveness and upcoming summits
European competitiveness featured prominently ahead of an informal EU leaders’ summit to be held on Thursday at Alden Biesen Castle in Belgium. The two leaders agreed on the “urgent need” to accelerate efforts to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy, priorities that form a central pillar of Cyprus’ agenda while at the helm of the council.
Christodoulides briefed Macron on preparations for an informal leaders’ summit scheduled for April in Cyprus.
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