Emmanuel Macron vows Europe will stand by Cyprus after Iran drone strike

French president says attack on island is ‘an attack on Europe’ as EU states send military support Emmanuel Macron has vowed that Europe will do whatever it takes to stand by Cyprus, the continent’s first state to be directly affected by the Iran war, after coming under what he described as “attack from multiple drones and missiles.” In the strongest show yet of solidarity towards the EU member closest to the Middle East, Macron likened the attacks, which included a drone strike against a British base on the eastern Mediterranean island, to an attack on Europe. “When Cyprus is attacked, it is Europe that is attacked,” the French president said, standing alongside the leaders of Greece and Cyprus at an airbase in Paphos. He added: “The defence of Cyprus is obviously a key issue for your country, for your neighbour, partner and friend, Greece, but also for France and, with it, the European Union.” Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, echoed the sentiment, saying: “We will not accept that the slightest piece of European territory, like Cyprus, be exposed to danger.” The visit came a week after a Shahed drone crashed into a hangar at RAF Akrotiri, leaving a gaping hole in the