Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian has said that both Cyprus and France and their Presidents want the two countries` cooperation on defence issues to be further developed.
In statements after talks he had on Friday with his Cypriot counterpart, Nikos Christodoulides, Le Drian said that cooperation among the two countries in the defence area is excellent and is based on trust, adding that French warships dock into Cyprus` ports, where they get supplies, and thanked the Cypriot authorities for this. He noted that they focused on this issue aiming at promoting this cooperation.
Speaking through an interpreter, Le Drian expressed his country`s support to efforts for a Cyprus settlement, underlining that it is important that the solution is in line with the acquis communautaire and noting that after Cyprus` accession to the EU the Cyprus problem is a European one.
Le Drian said that France is in favour of a settlement providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus, on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
He said that his country wants to see the resumption of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem, taking into consideration what has been achieved during previous rounds of talks.
He stressed that France is ready to help with the resumption of the negotiations, with a view to achieve a just settlement, and will thoroughly look into the report which the UNSG`s special envoy Jane Holl Lute will write after her consultations with parties involved in the Cyprus problem.
With regard to the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Le Drian said “we are planning to renew UNFICYP`s mandate especially now that we see tensions rising across the green line,” which he later on visited to see the situation on the ground “and the need for UNFICYP to remain on the island.”
On his part, Christodoulides elaborated on the issues they discussed, underlining that during their talks they reaffirmed that the interests and the goals of the two countries are identical in many fields, something which creates positive prospects for further expanding and deepening their close cooperation.
Ministers of Energy and Defence, Yiorgos Lakkotrypis and Savvas Angelides, participated for some time at the talks which took place at the Foreign Ministry.
In his statements, Le Drian also said that Cyprus and France have established a firm cooperation in the field of energy, noting at the same time their commitment for stability in the region, which as he noted, is based on the respect of the international law.
Le Drian and Christodoulides also discussed about the future of Europe, regional and international issues, as Syria and Iran. The French Minister said that the two countries have identical views.
He also elaborated on the two countries` bilateral relations, referring to French investments in Cyprus and the cultural ties between the two countries.
On his part, Christodoulides said that Cyprus and France have a relation of strategic importance. He noted that they thoroughly reviewed the two countries` bilateral relations and exchanged views on various European and regional issues.
He stressed that the expansion of the strategic partnership of the Republic of Cyprus and France, at all levels, constitutes a priority for the government.
Christodoulides said that the Strategic Agenda of Cyprus and France and their Agreement on cooperation in defence issues constitute a sound basis “on which we will continue to build” this relationship.
Furthermore he said that he briefed Le Drian on the Cyprus problem, adding that “we are currently going through a critical period”. He referred to the efforts which the UNSG is making through his special envoy Jane Holl Lute for the resumption of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem.
The Cypriot FM expressed appreciation for the long-standing position of France on the Cyprus problem and noted the pivotal role the country is playing as a UNSC permanent member state and an EU member state.
Moreover, Christodoulides said that he briefed Le Drian about Cyprus` plans in the energy field, noting French energy giant TOTAL`s keen interest in drilling operations in Cyprus` EEZ.
He noted that they discussed issues concerning the EU and its members states, among which the relations between the EU and Turkey, migration and PESCO.
He said that Cyprus follows closely and welcomes the initiatives of France in the fields of defence and security and pays particular attention to President Macron`s ideas to enhance solidarity with EU member states in these fields.
Christodoulides noted that he informed Le Drian about the Trilateral Cooperation schemes in which Cyprus and Greece participate with countries of the region.
Christodoulides and Le Drian also discussed about the need to boost coordination of southern EU member states, with a view to address common challenges at the regional and European level.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Numerous UN-backed negotiations, aiming at reuniting the island under a federal roof, have failed to yield results. The latest talks under UN aegis took place in the summer of 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans – Montana.