Strasbourg, France. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Cyprus “will never be alone” and pledged European solidarity a week after the island was hit by an Iranian-made drone.
Metsola addresses Cyprus concerns in plenary
Metsola told Monday’s plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg that people in Cyprus are concerned and said she wanted to be unequivocal that Cyprus is not, and never will be, alone. She said European solidarity is “real, tangible, and by your side.”
She added that the parliament “will send the clearest of messages that Europe stands firm and united, because the security of Cyprus is the security of the European Union.”
Metsola said any threat to member states is totally unacceptable and that when the EU’s resolve is tested, Europe acts as one.
Member states send or plan deployments to waters of Cyprus
Her comments came as no fewer than five European Union member states sent or announced their intention to send naval assets to the waters of Cyprus following last week’s drone strike.
The Netherlands is the latest to do so, with a Dutch frigate set to deploy to Cyprus as part of the french aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle’s carrier strike group. The Charles de Gaulle is currently located off the Greek island of Crete.
Macron visits Charles de Gaulle and Cyprus
French President Emmanuel Macro visited the Charles de Gaulle on Monday, after earlier paying a joint visit to Cyprus alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Macron said during his visit to Cyprus that the Charles de Gaulle is “now close to Cyprus to contribute to the overall defence picture, and to ensure it in the long term.”
Italy, Spain and Greece deployments
Italy announced its intention to send the Federico Martinego frigate to Cyprus, while Spain is to send the Cristobal Colon frigate.
Greece deployed four F-16 fighter jets to the island last Monday, as well as two frigates, including the Kimon, which Mitsotakis described during his visit to the island as the “pride of the Greek fleet.”
What do you think these deployments mean for Cyprus’ security within the European Union?