Tag: SBAs

France is positioning itself as the defender of “European sovereignty” and security in the post-Brexit era, taking advantage of the vacuum left by the UK’s departure from the EU. French President Emmanuel Macron’s opposition to NATO is still strong, and his vision for a European security architecture remains intact, as evidenced by France’s agreements with Southern Cyprus and Greece. Macron’s judgement on European security differs from most of the continent, as he has criticized NATO as “brain dead.” France’s alliance with Greece and Southern Cyprus, which owns parts of the Calypso gas field, is crucial to European security. The recent defence deal between Greece and France includes a mutual defence clause that goes beyond NATO’s Article V. France’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean are marginalizing Britain in a crucial area, and the UK should seek a reliable ally to balance the French and Greek efforts. Northern Cyprus, the legitimate state in the Turkish majority of the north of the island, could be that ally.