The signing of a strategic agenda between Cyprus and France, as well as the upcoming EU Presidency and Nicosia’s plan to become a full Schengen member in 2026 were among key topics discussed in a meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and French European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad on Monday.

“France is one of the member states with which Cyprus shares the same views on most of the issues on the European agenda. It is therefore important to coordinate in view of our [EU Council] presidency,” Christodoulides said.

The strategic bilateral agenda is set to be finalised in November, he said, and aims at strengthening Cyprus and France’s cooperation on economic, energy and defence issues and will be signed by French President Macron during an upcoming visit to Cyprus, which is yet to be announced.

“Our goal is to finalise it as soon as possible and I believe we are close,” Haddad said.

Cyprus’ geopolitical location and regional issues marked another key topic on their agenda.

The president emphasised the need for “coordinated actions” for countries in the region with great interest in France, such as Lebanon, as one of Cyprus closest neighbours.

The president also outlined the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, and emphasised France’s unique role in the international political landscape.

“Bear in mind that France is both a permanent member of the UN Security Council and an EU member state,” Christodoulides said.

Finally, Christodoulides and Haddad discussed Cyprus’ efforts to become a full Schengen member by 2026, with the president expressing his hope that the related procedures could be completed by the end of the year.

“We are working on the related technicalities,” he said.

Haddad had earlier in the day met Deputy Minister of European Affairs Marilena Raouna and assured France’s support to face the “significant challenges ahead of us [the EU]” in view of Cyprus EU Council Presidency.

“Russian aggression against Ukraine is a European issue, it is an issue that concerns the European architecture, and that resonates very strongly here in the last member state of the European Union under military occupation,” he said.

The two ministers also discussed security and defence issues and the EU’s multiannual financial framework, which Raouna said were part of Cyprus’ key priorities of the upcoming presidency.

Haddad highlighted that Cyprus was considered a “strong and steadfast ally” in the context of the upgrading of the European industrial defence base in a time that demanded limited dependencies on external factors and serious geopolitical challenges.

“In all these areas, Cyprus can be considered by France as a strong, steadfast ally and friend,” he said.

The ministers highlighted the “excellent relationship” between the two countries, both emphasising that they aimed to deepen and upgrade bilateral ties.