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Macron Announces Support for Cyprus Following Drone and Missile Attacks

Published March 9, 2026, 14:13
Macron Announces Support for Cyprus Following Drone and Missile Attacks

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed France's solidarity with Cyprus following attacks by drones and missiles, during a visit to Andreas Papandreou airbase in Paphos, where he met with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. France has already deployed the Languedoc frigate and a Mistral anti-aircraft defense unit to the region, with the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier located near Cyprus. Macron emphasized that the security of all Europeans is a common interest and that France will do everything possible to protect its citizens and its economy, while avoiding escalation in the region. He also acknowledged the need to protect shipping lanes through the European Union's Aspides operation. In a post in French, Macron underlined that France does not want war, but has a responsibility to protect its citizens and economies. He expressed France's solidarity with its allies who are being targeted by attacks and referred to the need to protect the 400,000 French nationals in the region. The trilateral meeting in Cyprus marks the strengthening of cooperation between France, Greece and Cyprus for security in the Eastern Mediterranean. France has committed to continue supporting Cyprus and its allies in the region, addressing the challenges arising from the current situation.