Cyprus

Political relations

The friendship between France and Cyprus is built on a close defence relationship, as well as solidarity forged between the two countries in the economic and cultural fields.

The ties between France and Cyprus have strengthened in recent years, as shown by the signing of a strategic agenda between the two countries in 2016 and Cypriot accession to the International Organisation of La Francophonie as a full member. A defence cooperation agreement was signed in April 2017. France and Cyprus also cooperate closely at European level, particularly within the EU Med group of the EU’s Mediterranean states.

France is supporting efforts towards a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus question, in accordance with the principles laid down in UN Security Council resolutions and the EU acquis.

Economic relations

Today, France is the 12th-largest investor in Cyprus, with a foreign direct investment stock estimated at €3.4 billion in 2021 by the Central Bank of Cyprus.
France traditionally has a trade surplus with Cyprus (€158.5 million in 2021). France is not, however, a major supplier of the country (11th place). Our bilateral trade is dominated by the agrifood industry (a quarter of our imports), mechanical equipment (22%), chemicals, perfumes and cosmetics (12%) and pharmaceuticals (40%).