Clélia Chevrier Kolačko: Major French companies play an active role in Cyprus’ economic development

France’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Clélia Chevrier Kolačko, talks about the two countries’ strong and evolving relationship which, she notes, has the potential for exciting further development.

She also reveals her aims as Ambassador and shares her thoughts about life in Cyprus.

There is already cooperation between France and Cyprus in the energy, tourism and defence sectors, among others. What do you see as the most significant areas of collaboration and what others could be explored or further developed?

France and Cyprus do indeed maintain a strong and dynamic partnership across several key sectors, with major French companies playing an active role, contributing to Cyprus’ economic development and strategic growth. In the energy sector, TotalEnergies is actively involved in offshore gas exploration and development within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and there are other opportunities beyond natural gas, as French expertise is recognised in renewables and energy storage. The Great Sea Interconnector also has great potential to remedy Cyprus’ energy isolation and support energy cooperation between the countries in the region.

Looking ahead, smart infrastructure projects also offer great potential. The tourism sector, as you mentioned, benefits from French investments. Bouygues Construction is involved in the management and expansion of the Larnaca and Paphos sirports as part of the Hermes

Airports consortium, while Accor Hotels, a leading French hospitality group, has been expanding its network in Cyprus lately. There is also great potential for collaboration in sustainable tourism, with joint projects in eco-tourism and smart tourism initiatives. French companies have also invested successfully in the mass retail sector, including Decathlon (sports equipment), Kiabi (children’s and adults’ clothing) and Leroy Merlin (building, gardening and DIY). Meanwhile, other emerging sectors offer promising opportunities for deeper industrial cooperation. In May 2023, the Embassy of France in Cyprus organised the first Defence and Innovation Symposium which brought together small and medium-sized companies, and we hope to hold a second one in July. A few collaborations are already on track and France is ready to accompany the development of Cyprus in these areas. Overall, the strong bilateral relationship between France and Cyprus is likely to continue growing, with new opportunities emerging in strategic and innovative sectors.

How does the Embassy support French businesses looking to invest or expand into Cyprus and vice versa?

France boasts a complete ecosystem for supporting our bilateral business ties. The Embassy works closely with Business France, a public consulting firm that supports French businesses in their international development, particularly mid-size companies and growing SMEs, and enhances our country’s attractiveness to foreign investors. Moreover, with the help of the French Foreign Trade Advisors, a group of businesspeople based in Cyprus, Business France assists French companies in navigating the Cypriot market by providing market insights, connecting with local partners or providing information on tenders. Additionally, the Embassy facilitates high-level economic dialogue, strengthening government and corporate ties to create favourable conditions for investment and long-term cooperation. In 2023, trade between France and Cyprus rose by almost 10%, to reach €377 million.

France has been a strong supporter of Cyprus, particularly on matters concerning its national issue and regional stability. What role do you see France playing in supporting Cyprus diplomatically, especially within the EU institutions?

France and Cyprus share a common vision regarding the EU, the preservation of our prosperity, our democratic model and our values, and we also share many similar positions within the European Union on issues such as the defence of European sovereignty and our strategic autonomy. As the neighbouring region experiences great turmoil, France acknowledges the essential role of Cyprus as a hub of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, to the benefit of the whole of Europe, as was noted during President Christodoulides’ visit to France last month when our two presidents took part in a five-party meeting on the challenges facing the region. France is a strong advocate of diplomatic and political support within the EU institutions to guarantee the security, sovereignty and integrity of Cyprus. Looking forward, France stands ready to assist Cyprus in any way on the preparation of its presidency of the Council of the European Union (January-June 2026) which, I am sure, will be a success.

How do you see the global landscape developing over the coming months, following the election of Donald Trump as US President and given the ongoing war in Ukraine and geopolitical developments closer to this region. What do you believe the EU’s input will be?

Donald Trump was elected by the American people as President of a country with which the European Union has longstanding and strong relations, so it is important that we continue to have a dialogue with the Trump administration on all issues. Furthermore, we didn’t have to wait for the election of Donald Trump to enter a totally new world, one in which we are witnessing the return of the law of the strongest and the reawakening of empires. In this world, Europe must defend what it is, its model, its values and what makes it unique; to do so, it must strengthen itself in the fields of defence, competitiveness and technology. By becoming more resilient and autonomous, the EU will become a more reliable player in the field of security and defence, as well as a stronger transatlantic partner. We have already begun to do this and we will continue to do so.

On Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. France’s desire is to achieve a solid and lasting peace that will remove the threat from Ukraine once and for all. We hope that the ongoing discussions will quickly lead to a ceasefire. Talks on partial ceasefires could be a step in the right direction. In Europe, there is unanimous agreement that Ukraine has the right to defend itself and that a strong Ukrainian army is and will be the first line of defence. Europeans are united, bold and convinced that what is at stake in Ukraine is the long-term security of Europe.

About developments in the neighbouring region, France has clearly condemned the violation of the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza last month. The first phase produced positive effects: it enabled humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza and led to the release of 33 hostages, including a French citizen. We defend a ceasefire, which is essential, the release of all the Hamas hostages, which is a necessity, and a two-state solution that guarantees the security of Israelis and Palestinians alike. This is the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. In this context, France supports the plan for Gaza that has been drawn up by the Arab States. France has held this position since the beginning and will continue to hold it within the framework of the United Nations, particularly during the French presidency of the Security Council in April. As for the EU, it has been a strong advocate for a two-state solution to the conflict, which would see Israel and Palestine as two democratic states, coexisting in peace within secure and recognized borders.

What would you say to young Cypriots who might be considering France as a possible country of study?

I invite every future student interested in learning more about studies in France to get into contact with our teams, in particular the French Institute of Cyprus.

On the issue of student mobility, France’s place in the rankings is booming, employability indicators are very satisfactory and international research collaborations are flourishing. The French language need not be an obstacle since French universities provide a significant number of English-speaking programmes but parents can also plan ahead and enrol their children at the Franco-Cypriot school in Nicosia or Limassol, to benefit from a trilingual education from an early age.

What are some of your main aims and goals as Ambassador to Cyprus?

As France’s Ambassador to Cyprus, I see my role as supporting and strengthening bilateral relations which are bound to evolve, as expressed by Presidents Macron and Christodoulides at the MED 9 Summit in autumn 2024. We have already started to work on this. Regional cooperation and energy are other areas for us to work on. In the broader context of diplomacy, I will put all my energy into fostering close relationships with France’s partners, advancing peace, building bridges and contributing to a better mutual understanding. I will do my best to lay the foundations that future generations of diplomats can build upon.

On a more personal note, you began your term as Ambassador in Cyprus just a few months ago. What kind of experience has it been so far?

It has been great! I am really grateful to be here. I have been warmly welcomed and I have instantly appreciated the beauty and complexity of the island, not only in terms of its vibrant history and culture but also its political realities. Cyprus is a multi-faceted country, which is what makes it so fascinating. With its location at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, it plays a distinctive role in regional stability and cooperation. Its membership of the European Union adds another layer of interest. Of course, I can see that the ongoing efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island continue to be a challenge but I also see – on both sides – a deep-seated desire for peace and stability. Looking forward, I see tremendous potential for Cyprus to develop new political and economic opportunities and I am very happy to have the chance to build here on the experience I gained in previous postings, to deepen our bilateral relation and to find new paths of cooperation. I am sure that my family and I will have a lovely time in Cyprus, discovering its rich culture, enjoying its nature, all kinds of water and mountain sports, and meeting many wonderful and diverse people!

(Photo by TADOBI)

This article was first published in the April issue of GOLD magazine. To view it click here