The leaders of Cyprus, Greece and France used their meeting in Paphos to deliver a coordinated message on European security and solidarity. Speaking after their trilateral meeting, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that Cyprus is not alone amid the ongoing regional tensions.
The three leaders highlighted the role of European cooperation in safeguarding security in the Eastern Mediterranean, while reaffirming that Cyprus continues to maintain a humanitarian role in the current crisis.
Christodoulides: Security of Cyprus is a collective European responsibility
President Nikos Christodoulides thanked Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron for their presence in Cyprus, describing it as a message of unity and stability. He said that Greece, France and Cyprus were sending a clear signal that Europe remains determined to safeguard the security of its member states and contribute to regional stability.
“The presence of both of you today in Paphos has substantial significance for Cyprus and for Europe,” Christodoulides said, adding that the security of Cyprus represents a collective European responsibility. Addressing the Greek prime minister, he referred to the deployment of F-16 aircraft and two Greek frigates to Cyprus, noting that their arrival had highlighted the historic ties between the two countries and their commitment to stand together.
Speaking to the French president, he said that France’s response, including the deployment of a frigate and the Mistral air defence system, demonstrated that France is a strategic ally of Cyprus. Christodoulides also thanked the prime ministers of Italy and Spain for their support, saying their stance reflected the meaning of European solidarity and contributed to regional stability.
He noted that developments in the Middle East affect Europe directly, particularly in relation to energy stability, migration flows and the broader European future, stressing that the European Union must play a more active role in the wider region. “The position of the Republic of Cyprus is clear: we are not involved in military operations. We remain committed to the humanitarian role we have served throughout this period as part of the solution, not the problem,” he said. Christodoulides added that Cyprus understands the consequences of war, as the country itself remains the victim of an illegal invasion, and that all actions aim to safeguard peace.
Macron: An attack on Cyprus is an attack on Europe
French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s support for the Republic of Cyprus, stating that the visit carried a clear political message. “I am here to tell you that when someone attacks Cyprus, they attack Europe,” Macron said.
La sécurité de tous les Européens est notre intérêt commun. Nos partenaires peuvent compter sur la France. pic.twitter.com/HJyN2LZPVF
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 9, 2026
Addressing Christodoulides, he described the Cyprus issue as an important matter not only for Cyprus and Greece but also for France, highlighting the significance of the strategic partnership between the countries.
Στην πρόσκληση του Προέδρου της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας, Νίκου Χριστοδουλίδη, βρίσκομαι στην Κύπρο, μαζί με τον Πρωθυπουργό της Ελλάδας, Κυριάκο Μητσοτάκη.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 9, 2026
Η ασφάλεια όλων των Ευρωπαίων είναι κοινό μας συμφέρον. Λάβαμε αμέσως μέτρα αλληλεγγύης προς την Κύπρο, η οποία δέχθηκε… pic.twitter.com/hlGhKVSR89
Macron said the joint declaration signed by the three leaders reflects their commitment and military presence in the region. He noted that the recent drone attack had prompted France to deploy an air defence system and a frigate to Cyprus. He added that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently operating close to Cyprus with the aim of strengthening the island’s air defence.
Nous n’avons pas voulu cette guerre, mais nous avons la responsabilité de tout faire pour protéger nos compatriotes, protéger nos économies, et éviter une escalade dans la région, au Liban et au Moyen-Orient.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 9, 2026
Ensemble avec le Président chypriote Nikos Christodoulides… pic.twitter.com/oUTqiXewyp
The French president also expressed solidarity with neighbouring countries affected by recent attacks and said France aims to safeguard maritime security while cooperating closely with Greece. He referred to Operation Aspides, led by Greece, as a concrete example of this cooperation. Macron described the situation in the region as extremely worrying and said efforts must focus on preventing further attacks by Hezbollah against Israel and by Israel against Lebanon.
Mitsotakis: Cyprus will never stand alone
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the meeting sent a strong message of unity and solidarity. “From here in Cyprus, together with President Nikos Christodoulides and President Emmanuel Macron, we send a clear, strong and decisive message of unity and solidarity,” he said.
Mitsotakis stressed that the Republic of Cyprus, as part of the European family, “is not and will never remain alone”. He noted that from the beginning of the crisis Greece had prioritised the security of Cyprus, emphasising the deep historical, cultural and national ties between the two countries.
According to Mitsotakis, two Greek frigates, including the frigate Kimon, along with four armed F-16 Viper aircraft, were deployed to Cyprus shortly after the escalation began. He described it as historically notable that the first operational mission of the frigate Kimon was taking place in Cyprus.
Mitsotakis also thanked Macron for France’s immediate response, noting that the actions taken by European partners demonstrated that strategic defence agreements are not merely symbolic texts but commitments tested in practice.
He said the support offered by Greece and France, followed by contributions from Italy and Spain, reflects the mutual defence clause of Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union. According to Mitsotakis, this confirms that Europe remains a responsible force capable of shaping global developments.
Following the joint statements, Mitsotakis and Christodoulides visited the hangar where the Greek F-16 aircraft are stationed and met with their pilots.
Source: ANA-MPA