Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that he is in communication with French President Emmanuel Macron to upgrade the Cyprus-France Strategic Agreement, which has been in place since 2016.

As Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou told CNA on Monday, during a meeting with a delegation from the European Affairs Committee of the French Senate, President Christodoulides expressed his aim to sign the updated agreement at the presidential level.

Originally signed by the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the two countries, the 2016 Strategic Agenda, established a framework for enhanced cooperation on security, defence, the economy, education, and culture.

He also said that in addition to discussing the agreement, President Christodoulides briefed the French senators on a range of issues, including the Cyprus problem, EU matters, migration challenges, and climate change. He also referred to the situation in Cyprus’ broader region and the shifting geopolitical landscape after the election of Donald Trump in the US.

The President, Antoniou said, expressed gratitude to France for its steadfast support in efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, particularly as the only EU country with permanent membership in the UN Security Council. He underscored the historical ties between the two nations and their defence collaboration, including Cyprus' acquisition of French military equipment.

He also spoke about the fact in 2024 Cyprus marks 50 years since the Turkish invasion and occupation and 20 years since the country joined the EU.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.