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Leaders from Cyprus, Greece, and France met in New York on Tuesday to discuss rising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and a major energy project connecting Cyprus and Greece. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis used the meeting, held alongside the UN General Assembly, to talk about how to handle growing instability in the region.
President Christodoulides said the talks mainly focused on the risks posed by recent developments in the area and how the three countries can work together to address them. These issues will also be discussed at an upcoming meeting of Mediterranean EU countries (MED9), set to take place in Paphos, Cyprus. Jordan's King Abdullah II will join the meeting, highlighting Jordan's importance in keeping the region stable.
The leaders also discussed an important project to connect the power grids of Cyprus and Greece, with France showing strong interest in helping to make it happen.
Christodoulides also plans to respond to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently pushed for the recognition of the breakaway Turkish-controlled northern part of Cyprus. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island.
The Cypriot president is set to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, where he will talk about Cyprus' role in the region and respond to Erdogan’s remarks. He will also participate in a Security Council meeting about promoting peace, meet with Iraq’s Prime Minister, and attend a reception hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
