French President Emmanuel Macron joined European leaders in Cyprus on Friday (April 24) for a second day of an informal meeting that centres on the Iran crisis, energy security and the bloc's multiannual financial framework.

Speaking upon arrival at the summit in Nicosia, Macron said they are "continuing the work, the negotiations for peace and stability in Lebanon," and added that the leaders aim to pursue efforts towards the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the closure of which by Iran has led to a global oil crisis.

Asked about the Franco‑German FCAS fighter jet project, Macron, who met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the summit, said their defence ministries are "tasked with the matter in the coming weeks", along with other defence cooperation initiatives.

Plans to develop a futuristic air combat system together with Spain are hanging by a thread amid a public dispute over control between France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain in the 100 billion euro ($117 billion) project.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: NICOSIA, CYPRUS (APRIL 24, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, ARRIVING FOR INFORMAL MEETING OF EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS

NICOSIA, CYPRUS (APRIL 24, 2026) (AGENCY POOL - Access all)

2. MACRON WALKING TOWARDS JOURNALISTS, SPEAKING

3. MACRON STANDING IN FRONT OF JOURNALISTS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

"This will also be the chance for us to coordinate with Syria and Jordan, they are impacted by the situation in the region. We're continuing the work, the negotiations for peace and stability in Lebanon, as well as its sovereignty, along with all the work on (Strait of) Hormuz that we started with Britain last week"

5. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

"We had good discussions this morning with Mr. Chancellor (Germany's Friedrich Merz) and we tasked our defence ministries to work on several aspects, on various topics, not just the fighter jets of the future, but various levers of cooperation between our two countries. And so our defence ministries are tasked with this in the coming weeks, we continue to make progress. Europe has never had this much need for unity, for more independence and more sovereignty. Thank you." / MACRON WALKING AWAY

NICOSIA, CYPRUS (APRIL 24, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

6. MACRON WALKING AND RUNNING

7. MACRON BEING WELCOMED BY CYPRUS PRESIDENT, NIKOS CHRISTODOULIDES, AND POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS

8. EXTERIOR OF VENUE