Cyprus Leader Addresses UK Military Bases
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides described the United Kingdom's two military bases on Cyprus as a "colonial consequence" and emphasized the need for discussions regarding their status and future. He conveyed this message to the BBC ahead of an EU leaders' summit in Brussels.
"When the situation is over in the Middle East we are going to have an open and frank discussion with the British government,"
he stated upon his arrival at the summit.
Historical Context and Recent Incidents
The bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia were established under the 1960 treaty that granted Cyprus independence from Britain, with the UK retaining sovereignty over these areas.
Recently, RAF Akrotiri was targeted by drone attacks amid the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The UK has faced criticism concerning its response to these attacks.
The drones are believed to have been launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group. Local protesters have expressed concerns that the presence of British bases on Cyprus has made the island a target.
Two of the drones were intercepted successfully, while a third struck Akrotiri, causing only "minimal damage." In response, the UK dispatched a naval frigate currently en route to Cyprus.
The two sovereign bases, located in the southern and southeastern parts of Cyprus, cover an area of 98 square miles (254 square kilometers) and provide significant employment opportunities.
Employment and Responsibility
President Christodoulides highlighted the human aspect of the bases, noting the number of Cypriot citizens employed there.
"We have more than 10,000 Cypriot citizens within the British bases. We have responsibility for those people,"
he said.
Complexities of Future Negotiations
Any negotiations concerning the future of the bases are expected to be complex due to the involvement of multiple parties in the founding agreements, including the UK, Greece, Turkey, and representatives from both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
When asked about his position on the bases, Christodoulides responded cautiously.
"We have a clear approach with regard to the future of the British bases... I'm not going to negotiate publicly."
UK Ministry of Defence Response
In response to the President's remarks, the UK's Ministry of Defence referenced Defence Secretary John Healey's recent statements in Parliament. Healey noted that the head of Cyprus's National Guard had expressed that military cooperation between the UK and Cyprus was at its closest.
Healey visited the UK's air defence team stationed on Cyprus earlier in March and affirmed that UK support is reinforced by NATO allies including the United States, France, Greece, and Germany.
The UK has increased its military presence on the island following the drone attack on Akrotiri. However, the deployment of HMS Dragon, a British naval frigate sent to strengthen Cyprus's defenses, only entered the Mediterranean this week.
Two Greek frigates and a French naval vessel arrived near Cyprus within days of the attack, with Spain also deploying a frigate as part of a broader European response to support their ally.
The UK has clarified that the bases have not been used for US operations against Iran, although permission has been granted for the US to use them for "specific defensive operations."
