The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, arrived at the Presidential Palace on Thursday for an official bilateral visit with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.
He was received with full honours, with the ceremony including a moment of respect in front of the statue of Archbishop Makarios III.
Discussions are set to centre on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Cyprus issue, and efforts to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in key sectors, as well as matters related to the European Union.
Macron’s presence in Cyprus forms part of a broader effort by Paris to reinforce its role in the region, a policy it has pursued consistently in recent years.
During the visit, Christodoulides and Macron are expected to hold a private meeting at the Presidential Palace, followed by expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries.
According to Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the discussions will also cover the implementation of the Strategic Partnership between Cyprus and France, with particular emphasis on enhancing cooperation in energy, defence and regional security, alongside issues linked to the European agenda and coordination within the framework of Cyprus’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.