Macron: France will not tolerate violations of Cyprus’ EEZ

France will not tolerate Turkish violations within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday.

“We won’t show any weakness,” the French leader said.

Macron was speaking during a joint press briefing ahead of a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is on an official visit to France.

Macron stressed France’s support during Greece’s financial crisis, nevertheless acknowledging “the great courage of the Greek people and their desire to remain in the euro area.”

The French president said that the two countries “are connected by a long-standing friendship,” adding that Athens and Paris are faced with common challenges.

“Achieving economic growth and fighting unemployment are top priorities,” he said, emphasizing his plan for eurozone reform, including a common European budget.

In his comments, Mitsotakis stressed the two countries’ long-standing friendship that goes back centuries and was evident during the country’s 1821 War of Independence.

“The country is re-entering a trajectory of growth and claiming its position in a Europe which remains our natural space,” he said.

The Greek prime minister also urged French businesses to invest in Greece and “take part in Greece’s growth leap.”