"This trip is intended to demonstrate France's solidarity with Cyprus, a member state of the European Union with which we have a strategic partnership and which was recently hit by several drones and missile strikes. The visit will allow Macron to emphasise the importance of guaranteeing freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, in particular through the European Union's Aspides maritime operation."
"Cyprus, an EU country, on Monday was targeted by Iranian-made drones, leading Macron to order France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean and a frigate and air defence units to Cyprus. The Cyprus meeting is also set to focus on the safety of European nationals in the region and support repatriation operations."
"Nearly 20 percent of the world's crude oil and about 20 percent of liquefied natural gas (LNG) usually transit through the key shipping lane. There have been numerous attacks on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint in the Gulf, since the US-Israeli war on Iran started on February 28th."
French President Emmanuel Macron visits Cyprus on Monday to meet with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Paphos. The visit demonstrates France's solidarity following Iranian drone attacks on Cyprus and aims to strengthen security in the eastern Mediterranean. France has deployed the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, a frigate, and air defence units to the region. The discussions will address freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, maritime security through the EU's Aspides operation, and safety of European nationals in conflict-affected regions. Nearly 400,000 French nationals are in countries impacted by the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
#france-cyprus-relations #mediterranean-security #iran-israel-conflict #maritime-security #european-union-solidarity
Read at The Local France
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