Nicosia, Cyprus. French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Cyprus on Thursday for an official visit, his second in 45 days, which the government has described as “historic”. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the trip reflects the strength of ties between the two countries.
Government describes visit as first official bilateral trip by French president
Letymbiotis said on Tuesday that this was the first official bilateral visit by a French president since the Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960 and said it “confirms in a most substantive manner the excellent level of relations between the two countries”.
Recent visit to Paphos airbase
On March 9, Macron visited Paphos’ Andreas Papandreou airbase with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Strategic partnership and areas of cooperation
Letymbiotis said Thursday’s visit comes at a time when bilateral ties are at their strongest, following the signing of an upgraded strategic partnership agreement in Paris in December 2025. He said the framework covers a wide range of sectors, including defence and security.
EU and regional issues
“France is one of the most important and reliable partners of the Republic of Cyprus, both bilaterally and within the European Union,” Letymbiotis said. He added that cooperation between the two countries is based on “common values, mutual respect and strategic convergence on European and regional challenges”.
Security and EU mutual assistance clause
Letymbiotis said the recent practical support provided by France underlines the importance it places on the security of Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean. He said Nicosia attaches particular importance to strengthening the EU’s mutual assistance clause, in line with Article 42.7, as a key pillar of the Union’s strategic autonomy.
Second visit in 45 days
Letymbiotis described the visit as a “milestone in the relations of the two countries”. “This is the second visit of President Macron to Cyprus in just 45 days, which reflects in practice the strategic proximity, the convergence of views and the shared will to further deepen cooperation between our countries,” he said.
What issues will you be watching for during Macron’s visit to Cyprus?