Macron receives the Cypriot president: a strategic partnership for the EU

French President Emmanuel Macron received Cypriot President Níkos Christodoulides at the Élysée Palace on Monday, December 15, 2025. The meeting allowed the two leaders to seal a major bilateral strategic partnership and define priorities for Cyprus’ upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.

Strengthening bilateral cooperation

Macron and Christodoulides signed a strategic partnership agreement to structure and deepen France-Cyprus cooperation. The agreement covers defense, economy, innovation, education, culture, and coordination on European and international matters.

“Today we have signed this strategic partnership between our two countries, which is an extremely important step,” said Macron. He emphasized that France becomes the only EU country with such a partnership with Cyprus, building on the 2016 strategic agenda.

Defense and Eastern Mediterranean

Security and defense cooperation will be intensified, including:

• Around 20 annual French naval visits to Cyprus,

• Joint maritime exercises to ensure Mediterranean stability,

• Cypriot support for French evacuations in the Middle East, as in June 2025.

A Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. Macron also reaffirmed France’s support for UN mediation efforts toward a just and durable solution to the Cyprus issue, highlighting the recent trilateral meeting with Turkish-Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and UN envoy María Ángela Holguín.

EU priorities and support for Ukraine

Discussions addressed key European issues:

• Support for Ukraine against Russian aggression,

• Industrial competitiveness (European preference, regulatory simplification, capital markets),

• EU 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework,

• Agricultural policy and modernized cohesion,

• European asylum and migration pact.

Macron emphasized a shared vision of a strong and sovereign Europe capable of addressing security threats, unfair trade practices, and digital interference. He stressed the importance of further integrating the Eastern Mediterranean into the European agenda, covering Syria, Lebanon, energy, and migration.

Innovation, culture, and education

The strategic partnership also extends to ecology, digital innovation, education, and culture, with a focus on regional cooperation and integrating the Mediterranean into EU projects.

Macron described the agreement as an “important step,” thanking Cyprus for its “trust” and highlighting European solidarity. He promised consistent French support for a successful Cypriot presidency, working “in concert” on defense, Ukraine, and Mediterranean issues.

This meeting and the signing of the strategic partnership demonstrate France and Cyprus’ commitment to strengthening bilateral and European cooperation. The partnership positions Cyprus as a key EU actor in 2026, capable of supporting peace, security, and economic development while consolidating European presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

©2025 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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