French President Emmanuel Macron makes first official bilateral visit to Cyprus

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on April 23, 2026, for the first official bilateral visit by a French head of state since the Republic of Cyprus was founded in 1960. He was received by President Nikos Christodoulides with a military honour guard and the national anthems of both countries. Following a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Archbishop Makarios III, the two leaders held private meetings followed by expanded discussions between their respective delegations. Key agenda items included the implementation of the Strategic Partnership signed in December, cooperation in energy, defense, and regional security, as well as coordination for the upcoming Cypriot presidency of the Council of the European Union. President Christodoulides also briefed Macron on recent developments regarding the Cyprus issue and efforts by the United Nations. Although reports indicated minor traffic delays caused by farmer protests at the Rizoelia roundabout, the event proceeded as scheduled. Evagoras Mavrommatis accompanied the French delegation to honor his late brother, Andreas Mavrommatis. The visit underscores the deepening strategic alliance between Nicosia and Paris in the Eastern Mediterranean.