France Expected to Sign Deal to Station Troops in Cyprus on Monday

The French government is set to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Cyprus on Monday, allowing the stationing of French troops on the island, according to reports.

The agreement will be signed in Nicosia by French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas. Both ministers are expected to attend the informal European foreign affairs council (FAC) meeting in its defence configuration in Cyprus’ capital on the same day.

The plans for the agreement were first announced by Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Cyprus in April. Letymbiotis stated that the deal would “strengthen humanitarian military cooperation and joint action at a regional level” and would allow the presence of French forces on Cypriot territory for humanitarian purposes.

Macron’s Defence Push

During his April visit, President Macron emphasised the importance of European defence in the region. He highlighted the deployment of European military assets around Cyprus following an attack by an Iranian-made drone in March, describing it as “a reaffirmation of our determination to secure Europe’s space.”

“When Cyprus was attacked, it was Europe which was attacked,” Macron said, adding that France reinforced defence capabilities with the deployment of the Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group.

He also referenced the strategic partnership signed with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Paris in December last year as further evidence of deepening ties between the two countries.

Strong Opposition from Turkish Cypriots and Turkey

The planned agreement has drawn sharp criticism from the Turkish Cypriot side. Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel described the move as “extremely dangerous, provocative, and an unacceptable step” that could damage peace on the island.

Ustel argued that any military presence in Cyprus requires the consent of the Turkish Cypriot people and warned that actions taken without their approval are “null and void under international law.” He accused France of a colonial mindset and urged the EU and Macron to adopt a fairer stance on the Cyprus issue.

Similarly, Turkey’s AK Party spokesman Omer Celik criticised France’s regional policies and called on Paris to pursue a more realistic relationship with Turkey.

Related Articles:

• Cyprus, France near landmark defence deal
• Government heralds ‘strategic’ French defence pact
• EU prepares defence ‘playbook’ after ‘nothing was done’ for a decade

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France to Sign Deal Stationing Troops in Cyprus on Monday

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France is expected to sign a Status of Forces Agreement with Cyprus on Monday, allowing French troops to be stationed on the island. The deal, backed by Macron, aims to boost defence cooperation but faces strong opposition from Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.

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The French and Cypriot governments are set to sign a landmark agreement on Monday that will permit the stationing of French troops in Cyprus for humanitarian and defence purposes. The move strengthens France-Cyprus ties but has provoked angry reactions from the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

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France Cyprus deal, French troops Cyprus, Status of Forces Agreement, Emmanuel Macron Cyprus, Cypriot defence, Catherine Vautrin, Vasilis Palmas, Turkish Cypriot reaction, Unal Ustel, EU defence cooperation, Charles de Gaulle, Cyprus security

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