France looks to develop defenceco-operation with Cyprus - REGINA LEADER-POST / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, right,
and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian

September 7, 2018

NICOSIA, Cyprus — France’s foreign minister says his country is looking to bolster defenceco-operation with Cyprus that could help augment Europe’s presence in the east Mediterranean.

Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday after talks with his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides that France wants a more united, democratic and sovereign Europe “whose voice is heard with greater power in the world.”

Christodoulides said Cyprus is ready to work with France to fulfil the ambition of French President Emmanuel Macron that Europe takes more responsibility for its own defence.

French warships often use the east Mediterranean island-nation — some 100 miles (160 kilometres) from Syria’s coastline — as a resupply and refuelling stop.

The two ministers also discussed expanding energy co-operation.

French company Total is already licensed to search for hydrocarbons off Cyprus’ southern coast.

Cyprus and France update their Defence Cooperation Agreement - FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE / CNA

Wednesday, 05 April, 2017

Cyprus and France updated their Defence Cooperation Agreement, during an official visit to Paris of the Cyprus Defence Minister Christoforos Fokaides.

According to an announcement by the Press and Information Office (PIO), the Cypriot Minister and his counterpart Jean - Yves Le Drian signed on Tuesday the updated version of the Defence Cooperation Agreement.

The Agreement updates and enhances the existing cooperation, while it extends it in new areas in light of new security challenges and the new geopolitical environment.

The Defence Cooperation Agreement covers new areas of cooperation such as energy and maritime security, terrorism and crisis management.