France Gives Backing to Cyprus Amid Gas Search Tensions - NEW YORK TIMES / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Feb. 18, 2020

NICOSIA, Cyprus — France's defense minister said Tuesday that her country stands in solidarity with Cyprus amid tensions over a Turkish search for natural gas inside Cypriot waters.

Florence Parly said France supports Cyprus, which finds itself under “strong pressure.”

“France is a friend of Cyprus," Parly told The Associated Press after talks with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades. “And we also express our solidarity regarding, for instance, what's going on in the EEZ" — Cyprus' exclusive economic zone.

Turkey has sent warship-escorted vessels to drill for gas in waters where Cyprus has exclusive economic rights, including areas where the Cypriot government has licensed energy companies Total of France and Italy's Eni to carry out exploratory drilling.

European Union member Cyprus has denounced Turkey's actions as a flagrant violation of its sovereign rights and of international law. The EU has also rebuked Turkey over the drilling.

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.

France’s Total may expand presence into block 8 of EEZ (Updated) - CYPRUS MAIL

MAY 21, 2018

French energy giant Total, wants to expand its presence into block 8 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the presidential palace after the meeting between President Nicos Anastasiades and the Regional Director of Total, Stephane Michel, Lakkotrypis said the discussion had been constructive. “The next steps in the exploration programme were discussed and one of the most important issues was the interest by Total in participating in block 8,” he said.

Block 8 was licensed to Italy’s ENI and “now we see interest by the French company to grow in this segment. It is a very important development that strengthens the [ENI-Total] consortium and expand its presence in Cyprus’ EEZ,” Lakkotrypis added. The consortium has 50 per cent stake each in blocks 6 and 11.

Total to begin operations soon in block 6 of Cyprus’ EEZ - CYPRUS MAIL

November 5, 2017

French energy giant Total will soon begin operating in block 6 of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) it was announced on Sunday evening after a meeting President Nicos Anastasiades had in Paris with the company`s Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanne and Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa division Elias Kassis.

Present at the meeting was Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides, who is accompanying Anastasiades, on his working visit to France. On Monday Anastasiades will meet with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

According to an announcement issued by the presidency, in statements after the meeting, Christodoulides said that “it was a very constructive meeting during which the activities of the company in Cyprus were discussed, as a result of a recent drilling and future company plans in cooperation with the Italian ENI.”

Italian defence minister in Cyprus visit - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

July 31, 2017

Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti will visit Cyprus on Monday where she will hold talks with her Cypriot counterpart Christoforos Fokaides.

During the meeting of the two ministers, they will sign an agreement on Exchange and Mutual Protection of Information. Pinotti will also meet with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.

According to a press release by the PIO, Pinotti will be officially welcomed by Fokaides at the National Guard General Staff premises in Nicosia, where the meeting will take place.

With Turkey fuming, French Frigate patrols off Cyprus, energy drilling begins - NEW EUROPE

Turkish military search and rescue exercise with helicopters & ships
near Ammochostos, Cyprus, June 14, 2017

JULY 19, 2017, 19:49
Kostis Geropoulos

French-Italian consortium hunts energy, Cyprus ignores Ankara’s warnings

French Minister for Armed Forces Florence Parly visited Cyprus for the first time on July 17 as a consortium of France’s Total and Italy’s ENI begun drilling in Block 11 of the Mediterranean island’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), despite threats from neighbouring Turkey.

Parly was reportedly briefed by her Cypriot counterpart Christoforos Fokaides on Total’s drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ. Fokaides met Parly at the Zenon crisis management centre in Larnaca, ahead of her visit to the French Navy frigate Languedoc, which is currently operating in the East Med, Cyprus Mail reported.

Cyprus government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said on July 17 the natural gas exploration was going as planned. “There is nothing causing concern or affecting our energy planning,” he said.

French Armed Forces Minister expresses support towards Cyprus - CNA

CNA - CYPRUS/Larnaca 17/07/2017 21:46

Cypriot Minister of Defence Christoforos Fokaides and French Minister for Armed Forces Florence Parly, met on Monday in Larnaca.

During the meeting, Fokaides briefed Parly on the government’s actions to support the drilling by French company Total in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, while Parly expressed France’s support to Cyprus and also expressed gratitude for the help in the fight against terrorism.

Fokaides said Cyprus and France were pylons of stability in the south-eastern Mediterranean, and pointed out the need to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Cyprus problem and energy issues the focus of talks between Cypriot and French ministers - FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE

Monday, 26 June, 2017

The Cyprus problem, TOTAL`s energy plans in the Republic of Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone, the deepening of the strategic cooperation between Cyprus and France, regional issues and Brexit will be on the agenda of talks which Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides will have on Monday in Paris with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.

According to PIO press release, Kasoulides will also meet with French President Emmanuel Macron`s diplomatic adviser and will have a meeting with the new Minister for Europe Nathalie Loiseau. TOTAL also has invited him to meet with high-ranking officials of the company. During the meeting the company`s drilling programme in the Republic`s EEZ will be reviewed.

As regards the meeting between Kasoulides and Le Drian, the press release said that discussions will focus on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem as France is one of the five UN Security Council permanent members as well as on TOTAL`s energy plans in the Republic`s EEZ.

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.

TOTAL planning crucial October visit to Cyprus - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

September 29, 2016

Top officials from French energy firm TOTAL are expected to visit Cyprus next month ahead of the new round of licensing for offshore exploration in the island’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is penciled in for next year.

Media reports on Thursday claimed that Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and his French counterpart Francois Hollande had discussed the matter of energy during their meeting in Paris on Wednesday while officials of TOTAL had also sat down for talks with French-speaking Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.