The need for the EU to achieve strategic autonomy, especially in the field of defence and security, was jointly emphasised on Friday by the Chairman of Cyprus’ House Defence Committee, Marinos Sizopoulos, and members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces of the French Senate who are in Cyprus for contacts. The French officials said their visit helped assess the seriousness of the situation on the ground and underlined the need for the European Union to show solidarity as regards the region.