Paris, France. France has rejected Turkish claims that its newly signed defence agreement with Cyprus violates international law, saying the accord is a technical framework for military cooperation and not an agreement to establish a French military base on the island.
French response to Turkish criticism
Responding to criticism from Ankara, French diplomatic sources told Turkish news outlet Türkiye Today that the Status of Forces Agreement creates the legal framework governing the presence of French military personnel in Cyprus and is intended to support humanitarian operations in the Levant.
France said such agreements define the legal status of one country’s armed forces while operating in another state and are concluded with countries outside multilateral defence structures such as Nato.
Reason for bilateral agreement
Paris said that because Cyprus is not a Nato member, a bilateral arrangement was required to regulate existing military cooperation.
The agreement was signed on June 8 by French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas.
Operational scope of the accord
France said the agreement simplifies procedures governing French military stopovers, overflights and deployments, particularly during operations to evacuate civilians from conflict zones such as the Estia programme.
It also said Cyprus had been used in June 2025 to facilitate the evacuation of French nationals from Israel, describing the agreement as part of broader efforts to strengthen regional crisis response capabilities.
Turkish objections
Turkey has strongly criticised the accord, with Defence Minister Yasar Guler saying earlier this month that the agreement “lacks legitimacy, disrupts delicate balances, and violates international law”.
Ankara has also said the agreement threatens the security of Turkish Cypriots, with Turkish officials warning that the country’s armed forces have “the strength and determination to give the harshest response” to actions they consider a threat.
French position
Paris rejected those claims and said the agreement “is not directed against Turkey” and serves humanitarian and operational purposes.
