NICOSIA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- France and Cyprus signed a status of forces agreement (SOFA) on Monday, providing a legal framework for the French military presence in Cyprus, consolidating bilateral defence ties, the Cyprus News Agency reported.
Signed on the sidelines of an informal EU defense ministers' meeting in Nicosia, the agreement defines the rights and obligations of forces stationed on each other's territory and is intended to enhance operational coordination.
Cyprus Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas said the upgraded cooperation would give Cyprus greater strategic depth and reinforce its role as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin said France would offer "unwavering solidarity" to Cyprus whenever its security and interests are threatened.
Officials said the pact represents a shift from previous cooperation based mainly on joint exercises, naval visits and temporary deployments to a more structured and legally binding framework. ■
