France Arm Forces Minister Florence Parly to visit Cyprus

The Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly arrives late on Monday evening to Cyprus and will hold on Tuesday morning meetings with the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, and the Minister of Defence, Savvas Angelides.

According to Cyprus News Agency information, Parly will visit on Tuesday afternoon the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, that is currently conducting operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, and is expected to leave Cyprus on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, CNA has learned that President Anastasiades and other government and military officials, as well as members of the diplomatic corps serving in Cyprus, will attend on Saturday, February 22, an official reception to be hosted aboard the Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier that will make a port call in Limassol from February 21 to 26.

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Earlier this month, French aircraft carrier “Charles de Gaulle” sailed through Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) block 8, close to the Turkish drillship “Yavuz”.

As the Cyprus News Agency learns, the French aircraft carrier, escorted by six accompanying vessels, continued its course due west of EEZ block 8, off the coast of Cyprus.

On January 18, Turkey sent “Yavuz” to block 8, which is licensed to ENI – Total consortium for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities.

Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state. In light of Turkey’s continued illegal drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean, the EU expressed solidarity with Cyprus, regarding the respect of its sovereignty and sovereign rights in accordance with international law.

The block underlines that that delimitation of exclusive economic zones and continental shelf should be addressed through dialogue and negotiation in good faith, in full respect of international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighborly relations.