Paphos, Cyprus. French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Cyprus on Tuesday after last week’s drone strike, telling President Nikos Christodoulides that the country “can count on France and our friendship.” Macron also outlined French and Greek military moves in response to the incident.
Macron’s message after visit to air base
Macron made the remarks in a post on X after visiting the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos on Monday, where he met Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“We are with you. You can count on France and our friendship,” Macron wrote in response to a message from Christodoulides thanking him for his visit and for France’s continued support for Cyprus.
“When Cyprus was attacked, all of Europe was attacked”
Speaking during the visit, Macron said the recent attack carried wider implications for the continent.
“When Cyprus was attacked, all of Europe was attacked,” he said, describing the response as reflecting the strategic partnership between Cyprus and France and broader European solidarity.
French military deployments
Macron said France had already moved military assets into the region following the incident, including an anti-aircraft unit equipped with Mistral missiles and the frigate Languedoc.
He also said the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle had moved closer to Cyprus as part of a wider defence posture.
Macron said the deployment was part of a broader French naval presence across the Levant and towards the Red Sea aimed at safeguarding maritime security and freedom of navigation.
Greek response
Mitsotakis said Greece had responded immediately, adding that Greek F-16 fighter jets and naval assets had been deployed to support Cyprus.
“Greece and Europe are expressing their solidarity with deeds, not just words,” he said.
What do you think the recent deployments mean for security in the region?