Cyprus–France relations

Cyprus–France relations

Cyprus
France

Cyprus–France relations refers to the diplomatic, political, economic, cultural, and defense ties between the Republic of Cyprus and France. The two countries share membership of the European Union, Council of Europe and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Cyprus is an associate member of the Francophonie organization since 2006.[1] France is a supporter of Cyprus against Turkey's refusal to recognize and admit Cypriot ships and planes.[2] France recognized Cyprus on 16 August 1960.[3] France fully supported Cyprus's application to join the European Union[4], which concluded with membership on 1 May 2004. France maintains an embassy in Nicosia, and Cyprus maintains an embassy in Paris.

Background

Relations between the two countries date back centuries to the medieval period. Cyprus was ruled by the French origin House of Lusignan (1192–1489), which established a Frankish kingdom on the island following the Third Crusade. The Lusignan period left a lasting cultural and architectural influence on Cyprus.[5]

Modern diplomatic relations were established after Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. France has traditionally supported Cyprus’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly following the 1974 events on the island.[6][7][8]

Defense and security cooperation

The two countries hold close defense cooperation that has helped consolidate their relations, as well as singing several bilateral defense agreements, meant to enhance the military coordination between the two in the Eastern Mediterranean.[9] Both countries hold joint military exercises on a regular basis, as France regards Cyprus as a location in which helps it strengthen its strategic footprint in the region.[10][11] Cyprus has shown interest in buying French military equipment, thus expanding their defense collaboration.[12][13]

Energy cooperation

Recent discoveries of hydrocarbon in the Eastern Mediterranean, have increased cooperation between the two countries, as France's multinational energy company TotalEnergies has been licensed to explore and drill in Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).[14][15][16] France has expressed political support for Cyprus’s sovereign rights to exploit natural resources within its EEZ in accordance with international law.[17][18]

Economic relations

France is an important trade partner for Cyprus within the European Union. Bilateral trade includes pharmaceuticals, machinery, agricultural products, and services. French companies operate in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and defense in Cyprus, while Cypriot shipping and services firms maintain business links with France.[19][20][21]

Educational and cultural cooperation

The Alliance française of Limassol, in partnership with the Institut français, has for many years been a major player in the promotion of French language and culture in Cyprus. Several schools and universities offer French courses, strengthening the educational ties between the two countries. In an informal setting, French is taught in public structures such as the Public Language Institutes (150 learners in 2020–2021), the Supplementary Education Centers (90); at the Cypriot Academy (90); or in the private sector at the French Institute (400 learners), or in the AF of Limassol and Paphos (111 learners).[22] In addition, the presence of L'école franco-cypriote, has strengthened relations between Cyprus and the French language. The Franco-Cypriot school also aims to promote French and Cypriot languages and cultures, in a European and international perspective.[23]

2026

During the 2026 Iran conflict, drone were sent targeting Cyprus, mainly targeting the RAF Akrotiri. Following this attack France sent anti missile and anti drone systems to Cyprus.[24] On 9 March 2026 President Macron landed for a visit in Cyprus, expressing solidarity after the Iranian attack. He will meet with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Kyriakos Mitsotakis.[25]

Resident diplomatic missions

  • Cyprus has an embassy in Paris.
  • France has an embassy in Nicosia.
  • Embassy of Cyprus in Paris

See also

References

  1. ^ "Cyprus in the World". www.gov.cy. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  2. ^ "France Sides with Cyprus amid Tensions with Turkey over Gas Search". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  3. ^ Gruel-Dieudé, Magali (2007). Chypre et l'Union européenne: mutations diplomatiques et politiques (in French). Harmattan. p. 89. ISBN 978-2-296-03490-7. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Position adopted by the French Government on the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union (15 March 1999)". CVCE.EU by UNI.LU. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  5. ^ "I Latini Di Cipro" (PDF). 2020.
  6. ^ étrangères, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires. "France and Cyprus". France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  7. ^ "French connection: Cyprus relations explored at the Louvre and the National Library of France". 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Сiprus-france relations and problems of region security". 2022.
  9. ^ "Cyprus and France upgrade Mari Naval Base for French use". in-cyprus.philenews.com. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Cyprus-France Coordinate Air and Naval Exercises with Greece and Italy". en.politis.com.cy. 19 September 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  11. ^ "Cyprus, France hold joint air defense exercise". english.news.cn. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  12. ^ "The President of the Republic of Cyprus and the President of the Republic of France signed today a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries and a Letter of Intent for Schengen - Gov.cy". www.gov.cy. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Macron: "Navi e rinforzi in Medio Oriente, prese di mira basi francesi". euronews (in Italian). 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  14. ^ Cavcic, Melisa (18 February 2025). "TotalEnergies and Eni sign on dotted line for Cyprus gas exports through Egypt". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  15. ^ Nova, Redazione Agenzia (21 October 2025). "Eni e TotalEnergies firmano accordi con Egitto e Cipro per sviluppo ed export di gas del giacimento Cronos". Agenzia Nova (in Italian). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Europe could get Cypriot natural gas by 2027, president says". AP News. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  17. ^ "France Offers Full Support to Cyprus Over Drilling in Island's EEZ". 2026.
  18. ^ Nova, Redazione Agenzia (21 October 2025). "Eni e TotalEnergies firmano accordi con Egitto e Cipro per sviluppo ed export di gas del giacimento Cronos". Agenzia Nova (in Italian). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  19. ^ mkyriacou (23 April 2024). "Salina Grenet-Catalano: The French community in Cyprus is growing, evolving and becoming more dynamic". Invest Cyprus. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  20. ^ "Cyprus-France deal hailed as boost for business, energy and innovation". cyprus-mail.com. 16 December 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  21. ^ "Clelia Chevrier Kolacko: Major French companies play an active role in Cyprus' economic development". www.cbn.com.cy. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  22. ^ "La langue française dans le monde 2022 RAPPORTS DE L'OBSERVATOIRE DE LA LANGUE FRANÇAISE".
  23. ^ "L'Ecole franco-chypriote de Nicosie".
  24. ^ "France sends air defenses to Cyprus as Iran strikes spill over into EU". POLITICO. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  25. ^ Corbet, Sylvie; español, MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS Leer en (9 March 2026). "Europe rallies around Cyprus during Iran war as Macron visits to show support for island". AP News. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  1. Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2020. Cyprus. [online] France Diplomacy – Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Available at: <https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/cyprus/> [Accessed 27 October 2020].
  2. Financial Mirror, 2020. French Naval Presence in Cyprus Takes A Clear Stance. [online] Financial Mirror. Available at: <https://www.financialmirror.com/2020/02/22/french-naval-presence-in-cyprus-takes-a-clear-stance/> [Accessed 27 October 2020].
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