Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides has said that Monday’s meeting between the Presidents of Cyprus and France in Paris constitutes a milestone in their bilateral relations, noting that their discussions focused on three pillars, bilateral ties, Cyprus issue and EU – Turkey relations, as well as the future of Europe.
In statements to the Presidential Palace, one day after President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and French President Emmanuel Macron held consultations in Paris, the Spokesman said that ‘based on their discussions and the statements that followed, we could say that the visit constitutes a milestone in the relations between the Republic of Cyprus and France’.
As regards bilateral relations, he said that the discussion focused on three issues which are interconnected, energy, defence – security and economy. He pointed out Paris’ strong support to the French company TOTAL which has activities in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and to its future plans which, as he said, will soon begin to be implemented.
As regards the issue of defence and security, he said that France acknowledges Cyprus’ geostrategic importance adding that in the framework of the new security architecture, discussed in the EU, Cyprus is seen as the member state which maintains excellent relations with all its neighbouring countries, in an especially important area, the Eastern Mediterranean.
He added that in the next few days, high ranking officials of the French Defence Ministry will visit Cyprus to discuss issues concerning the naval base in Zygi and other issues to strengthen cooperation in the field of defence.
Referring to the second pillar of the discussions, regarding the Cyprus problem and the relations between the EU and Turkey, the Spokesman said that there is a clear commitment on behalf of France for a more substantive and more active involvement in the Cyprus issue.
He pointed out that France is a member of the EU and a permanent member of the UNSC and that its President is willing to see a more significant contribution to the efforts to reach a Cyprus solution so that any new Cyprus Conference can yield results.
Regarding the EU – Turkey relations, he said that Turkey’s role in some fields, including the refugees’ crisis, is important, but noted that this does by no means imply that Turkey should not fulfil its EU obligations towards all EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus.
Referring to the third pillar of their discussions, namely the future of Europe, Christodoulides said that the French President has put forward some ideas and that discussion will continue in the framework of the meeting of the EU – Mediterranean countries which will take place in Cyprus most probably in January.
Replying to other questions, the Spokesman said that there will be offered facilitations to France from the naval base in Mari and the air base ‘Andreas Papandreou’ as well as other facilitations in the framework of their bilateral cooperation and the upgrading of the naval base.
He pointed out that the solution of the Cyprus problem must strengthen Cyprus’ role as a security provider in the region, noting that this role must not be hindered by any provisions in the solution.
Asked whether the Turkish provocations in Cyprus’ EEZ were discussed during the meeting of the two Presidents, Christodoulides said that Macron’s reference to Paris’ strong support to TOTAL’s activities in Cyprus’ EEZ, demonstrates France’s vote of confidence in Cyprus’ activities.
Asked if France is ready to defend TOTAL in case of Turkish provocations in Cyprus’ EEZ, Christodoulides replied that since the day exploration began in Cyprus’ EEZ there have been verbal or other provocations on behalf of Turkey.
The response to those challenges, he added, is that these energy plans are not only being implemented, but are being strengthened and this is the best response to Turkey and to all those who could question this sovereign right of ours.
