Cyprus to ‘seek new security deal’ for UK military bases following strike on RAF Akrotiri
Cyprus is said to be seeking new security arrangements for Britain’s military bases on the island after it became the target of Iranian drone attacks.
Greek Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides reportedly raised the issue during a lengthy meeting with Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday, after promising to have an “open and frank discussion with the British government” on the future of RAF Akrotiri.
Mr Christodoulides is trying to renegotiate the security arrangements of the 1960 agreement that established the sovereign bases of RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus. Telegram.
However, it is not thought that Cyprus will demand that Britain give up the bases completely.
A UK Ministry of Defense spokesman said the status of the bases was not open to negotiation and the “long-standing friendship” between the UK and Cyprus “remains strong”.
“The status of the Sovereign Base Areas is not in question. SBAs were never part of the Republic of Cyprus as UK sovereignty remained over these areas when Cyprus became independent in 1960. We have no plans to change this,” the spokesman said.
This comes after RAF Akrotiri, a British military base in Cyprus, was hit by an unmanned drone strike at the start of the Iran war, raising concerns that the base could pose a threat to the security of the island.
The attack prompted Britain to send the warship HMS Dragon to the country, but the ship only arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean on Monday, almost three weeks after its deployment was first announced.
Mr Christodoulides described the bases as a “colonialist outcome” and said the Cypriot government had a responsibility to the 10,000 citizens living at the bases amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East.
Speaking on his arrival at the European Council summit in Brussels last Thursday, Mr Christodoulides said: “British bases in Cyprus are a colonial outcome… We have more than 10,000 Cypriot citizens in British bases.
“We have a responsibility to these people… We will have an open and frank discussion with the British government.”
When asked if he wanted to get rid of the bases, he said: “We have a clear approach on the future of British bases” and added: “I am sure you understand that I will not negotiate in public.”
It comes as conflicts in the Middle East escalate and the UK is trying to develop a plan to reopen the vital oil shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade has caused oil prices to rise above US$100 a barrel and prompted Shell boss Wael Sawan to warn at an industry conference on Tuesday that Europe could face oil shortages next month if it remains closed.
Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that other nations take a role in opening the strait, and the UK is now leading efforts to create a plan to achieve this.
In a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday night, Sir Keir said the UK was “currently working with partners on what a workable plan might look like to secure the flow of goods through the key sea route”.
However, it appears that the deployment of any navy ships is unlikely to occur as Iran continues to threaten ships in the strait with missiles and drones.
