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French President Emmanuel Macron said an attack on Greek Cyprus should be seen as an attack on all of Europe, speaking during a visit to the island after it was targeted by Iranian-made drones.
Macron made the remarks in the city of Paphos alongside Nikos Christodoulides, the leader of Greek Cyprus, and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the prime minister of Greece.
At least one drone fired by Iran or allied proxy groups damaged the runway at the United Kingdom’s military base at Akrotiri on Greek Cyprus’ southern coast last week.
“When Cyprus is attacked, it is Europe that is attacked,” Macron said.
“The defense of Cyprus is obviously a key issue for your country; for your neighbor, partner, and friend, Greece, but also for France and, with it, the European Union,” he added.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told Reuters that Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands would deploy naval assets to Cyprus following the drone strikes to strengthen defenses.
Macron’s visit came as the war between the U.S. and Israel against Iran entered its second week.
The French president ordered the deployment of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, along with a frigate and air defense units to Greek Cyprus after the drone attack.
France said its position in the region is “strictly defensive.”
Macron was also scheduled to board the carrier, which the Elysee Palace said was stationed off the coast of Crete.
The deployment aims to strengthen military assets in the region and ensure the security of France, its citizens, its bases, and its allies, according to Macron’s office.
During the visit, Macron met the leaders of Greek Cyprus and Greece to discuss regional security.
Greek Cyprus government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the meeting would allow the three countries to review the high level of coordination between them.
Macron was also expected to discuss maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
A French frigate is already participating in the European Union’s Operation Aspides, launched in the Red Sea in 2024 to protect trade vessels from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces.
The Elysee Palace also said Macron spoke Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the situation in the Middle East and Lebanon.
The conflict has led to repeated attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil passes, where maritime traffic has largely halted since the war began on Feb. 28.
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