French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis are visiting Cyprus on Monday, a trip officials say carries clear political and security messages as the Middle East crisis deepens.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides is scheduled to meet both leaders before the three travel together to the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos.
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Christodoulides has been in “continuous coordination” with leaders of EU member states and regional governments throughout the crisis. He noted particularly close consultations with Macron, Mitsotakis and Italy’s prime minister.
French media reported that Macron is expected to stress the importance of maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean during his visit.
In Athens, government officials said Mitsotakis’ trip is part of Greece’s broader defense support to Cyprus. The Greek prime minister wrote on social media that Greece “stood immediately at Cyprus’ side” when the conflict in the Middle East began to threaten the island’s Greek community.