The leaders of France and Greece flew into the Paphos airbase yesterday to meet with their Cypriot counterpart and send a clear message of solidarity in defence, as the regional war started by the US and Israel against Iran shows no signs of abating.
Speaking at a joint press conference in a helicopter hangar at the Andreas Papandreou airbase in Paphos, President Nikos Christodoulides thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis for their immediate response to his request for support.
Akrotiri attack sparks Europe-wide mobilisation
After a Shahed drone struck RAF Akrotiri last Monday, followed by four failed drone and missile attacks, the island woke to the realisation that it was no longer a mere bystander to the conflict.
Frustrated with the lack of protection by the UK, Cyprus called on its European allies to fill the gap. Greece immediately sent two frigates – Kimon and Psara – and four F-16 Vipers. France sent its frigate Languedoc and a Mistral air defence system, while aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is on its way, accompanied by Spanish and Italian frigates.
European solidarity
Standing together in Paphos yesterday, Christodoulides, Macron and Mitsotakis highlighted they are not part of this war, but at the same time, remain united in the defence of Europe.
Christodoulides said the presence of Greek frigates and fighter jets highlighted the “strong historical bonds that unite Cyprus and Greece” while the deployment of French assets demonstrated in practice the strength of the strategic partnership with France, as reflected in the strategic cooperation agreement on security and defence signed a few weeks ago in Paris.
He also thanked Spain and Italy for their own substantial support, noting that EU member states have demonstrated European solidarity in practice.
Serious instability
The Cypriot President noted that the region was experiencing “serious instability”.
“Developments remind us of a simple truth: whatever happens in the Middle East has broader repercussions. It directly affects European interests, it affects Europe, our security, our energy stability, migration flows – it affects our collective European future,” said Christodoulides.
Attack on Cyprus is attack on Europe
For his part, French President Macron said: "I am here to tell you that when someone attacks Cyprus, they attack Europe.”
He hailed the importance of Cyprus to France, noting: “We are bound by the ties of our strategic partnership.” He added: “We want to express our full solidarity with Cyprus, which was targeted last week by drone and missile attacks.”
Highlighting the potential need for further evacuations, Macron said: “We also wish to demonstrate that we stand at your side to ensure the safety of European citizens present in the region, and to ensure their safe repatriation.”
Defensive posture and maritime navigation
The French President expressed solidarity with countries in the region, noting that France’s position “must remain defensive”, while seeking de-escalation.
“We must also safeguard maritime navigation, maritime safety throughout the entire region.”
He referred to Aspides – the Greek-led EU defensive naval mission to protect commercial shipping from Houthi attacks – as tangible proof of this cooperation.
Macron revealed that the three leaders discussed another “purely defensive” mission that will allow tankers and other merchant vessels to continue commercial navigation – seen as essential for safeguarding the global economy.
Concern over Lebanon
Macron expressed solidarity with Lebanon, noting that Hezbollah made a mistake attacking Israel and targeting Cyprus. “But we are also closely monitoring Israel’s response to Hezbollah’s attack. The situation is extremely worrying.”
He called on Hezbollah to cease all attacks “because all the residents of Lebanon are at risk”. He added that “Israel must also halt its strikes against Lebanon as soon as possible, so that Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty may be restored”.
The French president said France’s presence will continue in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz with eight frigates, an aircraft carrier, and amphibious units.
Reiterating his support for the Cyprus Republic, Macron highlighted the importance of European unity in defending itself. “The Europe of defence is no longer just words – we have moved into very concrete concepts being implemented. It concerns men and women committed, forces and equipment deployed, and the tangible solidarity of our nations.”
Message of unity and solidarity
The Greek PM Mitsotakis said the three leaders sent a decisive message of “unity and solidarity”, and a clear message that the Republic of Cyprus “is not – and will never be – alone”.
Cyprus’ security is a “fundamental national priority”, he said, adding that it is also an integral part of European security and a factor of stability for the entire Eastern Mediterranean.
Mitsotakis thanked Macron for also mobilising forces to Cyprus. “We proved that the strategic agreements we sign are not just indifferent texts – they are tested in practice.”
Injecting life back into mutual defence
The “tangible solidarity” shown to Cyprus by other European countries reflects the essence of the mutual defence clause enshrined in Article 42(7) of the EU Treaty while also breathing new life into it, he said.
“Because if not now, when? And if we do not act together in a crisis such as this, how will we face possible future threats?”
The Greek premier added: “Now is the time to clarify that every inch of European territory is inviolable.”
Perhaps with the recent arrival of six Turkish F-16s to the north in mind, Mitsotakis said: “Our sole purpose is the defensive protection of an EU member state from any threat. And we will not allow any part of European territory, such as Cyprus, to be exposed to the slightest danger.”
Echoing Macron, the Greek PM highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation – inviting more European states to participate in Aspides – and called for vigilance against asymmetric threats that may result in “large refugee flows”.
On the current conflict, he called on Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and end threats against countries in the wider Middle East. He also highlighted the need to strengthen the security of Lebanon and reject “any large‑scale operations on Lebanese territory, especially in the south”.
Concluding, he said: “I am here today on behalf of all Greeks everywhere. We would have been present, even alone – but today we are not alone. We are many.”
Macron was due to visit the Charles de Gaulle after the brief stop in Paphos, while Mitsotakis and Christodoulides paid a visit to the Kimon frigate by helicopter.