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 on Tuesday that this was the first official bilateral visit by a French president since the Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960 and “confirms in a most substantive manner the excellent level of relations between the two countries”.
On March 9, Macron visited Paphos’ Andreas Papandreou airbase with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
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.
The framework covers a wide range of sectors, including defence and security.
“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”.
“The recent practical support provided by France underlines the importance it places on the security of Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean. In this context, 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,” he said.
Letymbiotis said the visit was 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.
During the visit, Macron and President Nikos Christodoulides will hold a tête-à-tête at the presidential palace, followed by expanded talks between their delegations. Discussions are expected to focus on energy, defence and regional security.
They will also address the European agenda in light of Cyprus’ current EU presidency, while Christodoulides will brief Macron on developments in the Cyprus problem.
The two presidents will visit the Franco-Cypriot School in a move with “particular symbolism, which highlights the strong ties between the two peoples”.
Earlier on Thursday, Christodoulides will be welcoming Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda for talks at the presidential palace.
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