President Christodoulides and Ursula von der Leyen meet in Paris to discuss Cyprus

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris on July 14, 2026, during celebrations for France’s National Day. The discussions focused on the Cyprus problem and Cyprus's prospective integration into the Schengen area. President von der Leyen highlighted the appointment of European Commission Executive Vice President Raffaele Fitto as the EU envoy for the Cyprus problem, describing it as a testament to the Commission’s commitment to reunification. President Christodoulides expressed appreciation for the EU’s support in facilitating the resumption of negotiations based on agreed frameworks and EU values. Both leaders discussed the potential for a solution to be compatible with EU law, affirming that Cyprus will remain a member state post-resolution. Regarding the Schengen area, the parties expressed satisfaction that all technical preparations by Cyprus have been completed, leaving only the political decision pending. Additionally, the Cypriot National Guard participated in the French National Day parade on the Champs-Élysées, symbolizing the strategic partnership between Cyprus and France.