Warm-up talks - Energy and Cyprus on the agenda

The President of the Republic, accompanied by the members of the Cypriot delegation, arrived at the Palais des Elysées at 5.30 pm (Cyprus time), where there was a very cordial reception by President Macron, while a military procession paid tribute.
A meeting of the two Presidents followed, in the presence of the members of the delegations of the two countries.
From the Cypriot side, the meeting was attended by government spokesman Nikos Christodoulidis, the ambassador of the Republic in Paris Pantias D. Iliadis, as well as officials.
After the meeting, which lasted about an hour, the two leaders made statements to the media.
Welcoming President Anastasiadis, President Macron said, among other things, speaking through an interpreter that "I am very happy to receive today my friend, President of the Republic of Cyprus".
He added that while the two Presidents often meet at various stages, "this is the first time the two of us have had such a meeting. We talked about our bilateral relations which are excellent. The two countries signed the strategic agenda for the economy, culture, this text will be improved by the foreign ministers of the two countries in a few days. We will deepen the sectors of the economy even more. There are very strong defensive ties. "Last year, the French navy visited Cyprus more than 40 times," said President Macron, noting that with the modernization of the port of Marie, co-operation will be expanded.
He added that the Ministry of Defense and the French Navy would work on proposals "to work together".
He also referred to the economic cooperation between the two countries, making special reference to the activity of TOTAL in the Cypriot EEZ, noting that "we fully support its presence in Cyprus".
President Macron also referred to the close cooperation of the two countries in the field of culture, noting that "we know the position of the French language in Cyprus and we know the commitment of the government to strengthen our presence in Cyprus."
Regarding the Cyprus issue, the French president stressed that "a very important, historically significant progress has been made in the process and a lot is owed to you", he said addressing President Anastasiadis.
"Nevertheless, we know that the negotiation process in Crans Montana was not completed successfully. Many important steps have been taken and we must support future efforts. Once the Republic of Cyprus decides to restart the negotiations, France will support and be by your side. "There must be progress and France, as a member of the UN, can play its part and we can get much more involved if you ask us to."
For the Future of Europe, the views of Cyprus and France converge, said President Macron, noting that the two countries want cooperation in various fields as well as on the issue of the Defense Fund.
"I hope we can cooperate on other issues of common interest, such as MED 7 (seven Mediterranean EU Member States) and on your own initiative we will set a date very soon.
Our meeting was very constructive and very friendly. "Both sides want to strengthen our cooperation," said Emanuel Macron, noting that "in the coming weeks I hope to come to Cyprus as well."
For his part, President Anastasiadis said that "I would like to warmly thank my friend President Macron for inviting me to visit Paris and for the opportunity to exchange views on a number of issues of common interest. France has been a beacon of freedom and democracy for the whole world and its historical role in the creation and consolidation of the European edifice is well known. Cyprus and France are linked by a long and sincere friendship, while we do not forget that France and the French people supported the Republic of Cyprus in difficult times after the Turkish invasion of 1974, but also in its first steps as a member state of the European Union after accession. During the consultations we had today in a very warm and friendly atmosphere, we reaffirmed the high level of our bilateral relations, as well as our excellent multilevel cooperation, both within the European Union and in the framework of International Organizations, such as the United Nations and Francophonie.
We agreed that we should further intensify our dialogue with a view to the gradual implementation of the Franco-Cypriot Strategy Agenda agreed and signed in October 2016. In addition, our dialogue focused on issues related to our closer cooperation in the fields of energy. security and defense, the economy, sustainable development, tourism, education and culture, but also measures to be taken to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change.
As expected, we discussed the Cyprus issue, for which I expressed my deep gratitude and appreciation both to myself and to the entire Cypriot people for the long-standing stance taken by France, both as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, but and as a Member State of the European Union. I would like to once again publicly thank my friend the President for his willingness when and if, as a member of the UN Security Council but also as an EU Member State, with good relations with Turkey, excellent relations and with us to contribute to dialogue is as creative as possible and to help achieve peace in the Mediterranean region, especially with the solution of the Cyprus problem. I informed the President of the reasons which led to the outcome of Crans Montana. Turkey's stance is well known. My friend President Macron and I also exchanged views on critical issues concerning the European Union. The creative proposals he submitted to the Sorbonne in September are in complete agreement with us, with the exception of one aspect relating to the tax rate. The opportunity will be given through dialogue to find a way so that no one is wronged.
We agreed that Europe needs changes that will bring it closer to European citizens and I conveyed the readiness of Cyprus to contribute constructively to our joint effort. In this context, we agreed on the important contribution that the seven Mediterranean member states of the European Union can make and we agreed that their next Summit will be held in Cyprus, on a date in the coming weeks. At the same time and following the debate at the recent European Council, we exchanged views on Euro-Turkish relations. I have the impression that everyone's intention is to see how these relations can be strengthened, we are not against any European perspective of Turkey, as long as it respects the Copenhagen criteria, respects all states and fulfills its obligations to all states. of. Given France's particular interest in what is happening in the Eastern Mediterranean region, we discussed regional developments and briefed President Macron on the active role and initiatives we have developed in the region to promote cooperation, peace and stability. As well as the assistance that the Republic of Cyprus can provide to France and other friendly countries to achieve the above objectives. And it is in this context that we have said that the naval base in Marie and the air base "Andreas Papandreou" in Paphos can be used by our friends, especially from France in peacekeeping missions in the region. I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for the warm hospitality you have provided to me and the Cypriot delegation. I look forward to the continuation and further deepening of our relations and I look forward to welcoming you to Cyprus, with the MED7 summit, but also later, so that we can continue our contacts, beyond the European Council, to strengthen and deepen further. our timeless relationships ".

Source: GTP